Chair: Prof Mathias Rummel - Klinikum der Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany; Dr Umberto Vitolo - University of San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Turin, Italy; Prof Johannes Drach - Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Prof Christian Buske - University of Ulm, Munich, Germany; Prof Owen O'Connor - New York University Cancer Institute, USA

The panel discuss the key lymphoma related research that has emerged from the 2010 ASH congress in Florida. The panel initially address important presentations relating to mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). A number of large randomised studies have demonstrated that detecting, and when possible managing, minimal residual disease could significantly impact MCL patient survival. In addition, the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network presented the results of a Phase III trial revealing that the addition of high dose Ara-C to R-CHOP and autologous stem cell transplantation treatment increases patient response rates and the time to treatment failure in fit young MCL patients.

The panel speak about treatment optimisation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This includes the extended follow up results of a trial evaluating the use of rituximab in the treatment of young low risk patients and an update from the CORAL study. The CORAL study compares rituximab plus ICE with rituximab plus DHAP and has reiterated the need to develop further salvage treatments for relapsed patients.

The panel conclude by discussing results suggesting romidepsin, sorafenib and tipifarnib could be effective in the treatment of T-cell lymphoma, the potential role of bortezomib in the treatment of relapsed follicular lymphoma, the possible benefits of subcutaneous bortezomib administration and the plenary session on the early use of rituximab instead of ‘watch and wait’ in asymptomatic follicular lymphoma.