Hodgkin's Disease

Answer

Hodgkin's Disease

Hodgkin disease (HD) is a condition arising from the malignancy of B-lymphocytes. The B-lymphocytes are unique in that they cause immunodeficiency and provide mechanisms for immune evasion, which serve to prevent self-destruction (Kennedy-Nasser, Hanley, & Bollard, 2011). Presence of HD is confirmed by the existence of extensive mononucleated Hodgkin (H) as well as giant multinucleated Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells (Hsi, 2008). These two are collectively referred to as Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells (HRS). This paper discusses HD disease, its association with EBV and the Biologic features of Hodgkin lymphoma. The discussion will be based on two articles. One of the articles by Kennedy-Nasser, Hanley, & Bollard (2011) is titled “Hodgkin disease and the role of the immune system.” The second article authored by Hsi (2008) is titled “Biologic features of Hodgkin lymphoma and the development of biologic prognostic factors in Hodgkin lymphoma: tumor and microenvironment”.

Kennedy-Nasser, Hanley, & Bollard (2011)’s article was aimed at providing a comprehensive discussion of HD, the immune deficiency it causes, as well as the various mechanisms of tumor immune evasion. Hsi (2008), on the other hand, sought to review the recent advances, which have been made in the quest to understand the pathobiology of Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). According to Kennedy-Nasser, Hanley, & Bollard (2011), although it is widely known that HD has multiple ways of avoiding destruction through evasive immune mechanisms, there is a possibility that the multifactorial immune derangements might allow for the improvement of anti-tumor immunity. The finding in the article by Hsi (2008) is that although improved therapy has increased the cure rates for Classical Hodgkin lymphoma, some minor cases of relapse and death of patients have been reported. The two articles present critical information about HD, its prevalence, and measures which have been advanced towards containing the condition.

The two articles have established that the exploration of biologic markers is key to improving on the clinical prognostic models for HD. Additionally; they have proved that Hodgkin tumor can be overcome through the various mechanisms. However, Kennedy-Nasser, Hanley, & Bollard (2011) does not provide the exact mechanisms, which will lead to potential strategies to overcome lack of immunity for the tumor. Additionally, Hsi (2008) provides the biology of Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg cells as well as how they interact with the microenvironment. However, Hsi (2008) does not provide the biologic markers, which might be used to improve on the models for clinical prognosis. As such, further research should be focused on how to address the dilemmas that patients with HD face. Additionally, more information should be explored on various biologic prognostic markers.

In conclusion, the existence of HD is established by the presence of extensive mononucleated Hodgkin (H) as well as giant multinucleated Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells in a patient. The two articles have provided evidence on the fact that HD deploys various mechanisms in the quest to avoid any destruction through evasive immune mechanisms. Additionally, the resources have shown that an improvement in therapeutic methods has positive impacts on the rates of cure for Classical Hodgkin lymphoma. However, the articles fail to show how Hodgkin tumor immunity can be increased as well as the various biologic prognostic markers of Classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Further research should, therefore, be conducted on these two issues so that a minority of patients who experience relapse and death arising from HD can get help.