Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma (PTCL)
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is characterized by an aggressive course and short survival times. The complexity and heterogeneity of PTCL make it challenging to classify and therapy development effectively. Our company is dedicated to providing a full suite of PTCL drug and therapeutic development services and specializes in discovering and developing novel therapies for this challenging rare disease. Through our expertise in drug discovery, preclinical research, and animal model development, we strive to have a significant positive impact on research in the field of PTCL for global pharmaceutical companies.
What is Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma (PTCL)?
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) refers to a group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas originating from T-lymphocyte cells. The incidence of PTCL is currently unknown. These tumors exhibit diverse presentations, histologic features, and immunophenotypic profiles. However, they share common characteristics such as aggressive behavior, poor responses, and limited survival times. PTCL is further classified into various subtypes, with PTCL-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) being the most common and heterogeneous subtype.
PTCL encompasses a heterogeneous group of subtypes, each with distinct molecular features. Along with the PTCL-NOS subtype, other subtypes include:
- Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma (AITL)
- Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)
- Adult T-cell Lymphoma/Leukemia (ATLL)
- Enteropathy-associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL)
- Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type
- Intestinal T-cell Lymphomas
Fig.1 Subtypes of peripheral T-cell lymphoma according to IPTCLP. (Luan, Yunpeng, et al., 2024)Pathogenesis of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL)
The exact cause of PTCL is not well understood. However, several factors have been associated with an increased risk of developing PTCL. These include:
Viral Infections
Certain viral infections have been linked to PTCL development. For example, infection with the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is strongly associated with adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATLL), a subtype of PTCL. Other viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), have also been implicated in the development of specific subtypes of PTCL.
Genetic and Environmental Factors
Genetic and environmental factors may play a role in the development of PTCL. Certain genetic abnormalities and chromosomal rearrangements have been identified in PTCL. Additionally, exposure to certain chemicals, pesticides, or radiation may increase the risk of developing PTCL, although the evidence is limited.
Immune System Dysfunction
PTCL can occur in individuals with underlying immune system dysfunction. This includes conditions such as immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune diseases, and prior organ transplantation, where the immune system is compromised or dysregulated, leading to an increased risk of lymphoma development.
Targeted Therapy Development for PTCL
T-cell Receptor Signaling Pathway Targets
T-Aberrations in this pathway, including mutations and copy number variations, are frequent in PTCL subtypes. Targeting this pathway holds promise for inhibiting tumor growth and improving therapy outcomes.
PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Targets
The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is frequently dysregulated in PTCL, particularly in the GATA3-PTCL subtype. Inhibitors targeting this pathway have shown efficacy in preclinical models and clinical trials.
Transcription Factors Targets
Transcription factors such as GATA3 play crucial roles in T-cell differentiation and are overexpressed in certain PTCL subtypes. Targeting these factors may disrupt tumor growth and promote more favorable therapy responses.
Immunotherapy Targets
Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, have shown promise in treating PTCL. These targets modulate the immune response and enhance anti-tumor activity.
Our Services
Biomarkers play a crucial role in PTCL diagnostics and therapy development. We employ cutting-edge technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, and immunohistochemistry, to identify and validate biomarkers associated with PTCL. We also employ state-of-the-art technologies and innovative approaches to identify and develop novel therapies specifically targeting PTCL subtypes. Our team of experts utilizes in silico screening, high-throughput screening, and medicinal chemistry to optimize potential drug candidates. In addition to our small-molecule drug development services, we have established other diversified therapy development platforms.
Platform Capabilities
Our company conducts in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of potential therapies and to perform pharmacokinetics studies. This includes testing the therapeutic agents in cell-based models, organoid models, and animal models.
Animal Models of PTCL
- ITK–SYK gene editing models
- Snf5−/− gene editing models
- Lin28b gene editing models
- Others
If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Luan, Yunpeng, et al. "Therapeutic challenges in peripheral T-cell lymphoma." Molecular Cancer 23.1 (2024): 2.
- Owens, Eileen, et al. "The gene expression profile and cell of origin of canine peripheral T-cell lymphoma." BMC cancer 24.1 (2024): 18.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.