INCan Highlights Progress in Blood Cancer Therapies

Blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, continue to represent a significant portion of cancer diagnoses across age groups in Mexico. Specialists at the National Cancer Institute (INCan) are calling for increased awareness and early detection, noting that treatment options have advanced considerably in recent decades.

“Blood cancer originates in bone marrow cells that form red and white blood cells and platelets,” said Rodrigo Castillo Llanos, Head of the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Diagnostic Support, and Cell Therapy, INCan. “When these cells develop abnormalities, they can lead to various forms of cancer.”

The three most prevalent forms of blood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Leukemia can be acute or chronic and typically affects the bone marrow, resulting in uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells. Lymphomas affect the lymphatic system and include both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin variants. Multiple myeloma impairs plasma cells that produce antibodies and is more commonly diagnosed in older adults.

In children, acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most frequent, accounting for nearly 50% of all pediatric cancer cases. Most diagnoses occur between the ages of 2 and 5, though the disease can present until the age of 18. Among adults, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common, often identified in patients over the age of 60 but not exclusively limited to that age group.

Blood cancers may develop without immediate visible symptoms, making early identification difficult. This underlines the importance of monitoring general health and seeking medical evaluation when unexplained changes appear, according to INCan. Although there are more than 100 types of cancer overall, the need for vigilance applies broadly.

Treatment strategies for blood cancer have expanded beyond traditional chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells and often results in significant side effects. Newer methods include targeted therapies that affect only cancerous cells, reducing harm to healthy tissue. Immunotherapy and gene therapy are also increasingly employed, harnessing the body’s immune system or modifying genetic material to address malignancies more precisely.

These innovations have yielded measurable results. According to INCan, up to 70% of adults with lymphoma respond positively to first-line treatments. In children diagnosed with leukemia, response rates to initial therapies reach as high as 90%, offering improved prognoses and reducing long-term impacts.