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on-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, simply put, a cancer of the immune system.

NHL tumors develop from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell found in lymphoid organs such as the lymph nodes, bone marrow, tonsils and spleen. These lymphomas may arise from either B lymphocytes or T lymphocytes.

There are over 50 different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which can be broadly divided into two categories, the aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types.  

They can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells, with B-cell lymphomas accounting for nearly 90% of all NHL. The most common type of NHL is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, followed by follicular lymphoma. NHL can develop at any age, but the more common types occur in adults in their 60s or older.

T-cell lymphomas, on the other hand, is less common and certain subtypes are more common in Asia. One such example is the Type II Enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL).

Unlike its counterpart, Type 1 EATL, which is more common in the West and is associated  with Celiac disease that affects mostly Caucasians.

Not much is known about the origin of the Type II EATL, partly due to the rarity of this type of lymphoma in the West and also the lack of research in this area.

As published in the Sunday Times on Mar. 31, the recent discovery of the novel biomarker, MATK, in Type II EATL, made by our research group (Singapore Lymphoma Study Group) is a significant milestone in better understanding this type of lymphoma.  

Our findings will be published in the Leukemia journal, which included 60 such cases from Singapore and other Asian countries in the region.  

From our research work, it is now clear that this type of lymphoma is very distinct from the Type 1 EATL, both clinically and under the microscope, hence suggesting a very different biology altogether.

Therefore, in view of our recent findings, the World Health Organization is considering re-classifying Type II EATL to a different name to better reflect its underlying biology.

More importantly, our continued research in this disease serves an unmet need and may pave the way for the development of new therapeutic agents in this type of lymphoma.

Dr. Kevin Tay is a consultant medical oncologist with the Oncocare Cancer Center and also a visiting consultant at the National Cancer Center Singapore.