Disease resources

Therapeutic areas relevant to our
clinical research at BeiGene

Disease state overview

Hematology

Solid Tumors

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) / Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)

What is CLL/SLL?

CLL and SLL are cancers caused by abnormal B cells (also known as B lymphocytes). B cells are a type of white blood cell found in blood and bone marrow. When B cells develop normally, they help protect the body from infection and disease.^1,2

In CLL, cancer cells are found mostly in the blood and bone marrow. In SLL, cancer cells are found mostly in the lymph nodes and spleen. The treatment for CLL and SLL is very similar because they are both caused by abnormal B cells.¹

References: 1. American Cancer Society. About non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Accessed September 14, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8717.00.pdf 2. American Cancer Society. About chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Accessed September 14, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8679.00.pdf

Follicular lymphoma (FL)

What is FL?

FL is a type of B-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is a slow-growing cancer that may appear in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and other organs. Symptoms of FL—such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, and drenching night sweats—are similar to those of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.¹

Healthcare providers consider FL a chronic illness, as symptoms often subside after treatment and then come back. This cycle of remission-relapse-remission means people who have FL feel as if they’re never able to say they’re “done” with treatment.¹

Reference: 1. Cleveland Clinic. Follicular lymphoma. Accessed September 7, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22606-follicular-lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

What is MCL?

MCL is a rare, aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is caused by the rapid growth and spread of cancerous B cells.¹

Patients with MCL generally present with enlarged lymph nodes in the throat, liver, or gastrointestinal tract.¹ Patients may also have an enlarged spleen detected upon physical examination.²

Because MCL is often diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, it may spread to other sites in the body, including the bone marrow, bloodstream, gastrointestinal tract, or other sites not involving lymph nodes.³

References: 1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Mantle cell lymphoma facts. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/file_assets/mantlecelllymphoma.pdf 2. Lymphoma Action. Mantle cell lymphoma. Accessed December 20, 2023. https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/types-lymphoma-non-hodgkin-lymphoma/mantle-cell-lymphoma 3. Lymphoma Research Foundation. Understanding mantle cell lymphoma. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LRF_Mantle_Cell_Lymphoma_Factsheet.pdf

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)

What is MZL?

MZL comprises a group of slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphomas. MZL is a B-cell lymphoma that develops in a type of lymphatic tissue called the marginal zone, which is present in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, or other organs, and accounts for approximately 5% to 10% of all cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.²

Extranodal MZL is the most common form of MZL. Other types are nodal MZL and splenic MZL.²

MZL is more commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 65. Because MZL is slow-growing, it may be years before patients experience symptoms or the condition is detected.³

References: 1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.lls.org/research/marginal-zone-lymphoma-mzl 2. Lymphoma Research Foundation. Understanding lymphoma: marginal zone lymphoma. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LRF_Marginal_Zone_Lymphoma_Factsheet.pdf 3. MD Anderson Cancer Center. 4 things to know about marginal zone lymphoma. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/4-things-to-know-about-marginal-zone-lymphoma.h00-159620223.html

Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM)

What is WM?

WM is a hematologic cancer that starts in B cells. The cancer cells in people with WM are similar to those of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.¹

WM cells make large amounts of a certain type of antibody known as a macroglobulin. The buildup of this antibody can lead to many of the symptoms of WM, including excess bleeding, problems with vision, and nervous system problems.¹

WM cells grow mainly in the bone marrow, where they can crowd out normal blood cells. This may result in anemia, a weakened ability to fight infection, and increased bleeding and bruising.¹

Reference: 1. American Cancer Society. About Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Accessed September 14, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8873.00.pdf

Esophageal Cancer

What is esophageal cancer?

Esophageal cancer begins in the inside lining of the esophagus and spreads through the outer layers as it metastasizes. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are the 2 most common types.¹

ESCC forms in squamous cells, which are the thin, flats cells lining the esophagus. This type of cancer can occur anywhere in the esophagus, but is generally found in the upper and middle parts of the esophagus.¹ Approximately 35% of esophageal cancer cases in the US have been attributed to ESCC. Black race has been identified as an independent risk factor for ESCC.²

EAC starts in glandular (secretory) cells. These glandular cells appear in the esophagus lining and produce and release fluids such as mucus. Adenocarcinomas usually occur near the stomach, in the lower part of the esophagus.¹ Nearly 60% of esophageal cancer cases in the US have been attributed to adenocarcinomas.²

Older age, male gender, heavy alcohol use, and tobacco use are risk factors associated with esophageal cancer.¹

Due to its limited signs and symptoms, esophageal cancer may be challenging to diagnose in the early stages. Only ~5% of patients with metastatic esophageal cancer survive beyond 5 years.¹

References: 1. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: esophageal cancer. Accessed April 25, 2024. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/esoph.html 2. Then EO, Lopez M, Saleem S, et al. Esophageal cancer: an updated Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database analysis. World J Oncol. 2020;11(2):55-64. doi:10.14740/wjon1254

Stomach (Gastric) Cancer

What is stomach (gastric) cancer?

Stomach (gastric) cancer originates in the cells that line the stomach.²

The stomach wall comprises 3 layers of tissue: the mucosa (inner layer), the muscularis (middle layer), and the serosa (outer layer). Stomach cancer starts in the cells lining the mucosa and then spreads through the outer layers as it metastasizes.³

The most common type of stomach cancer, adenocarcinoma, occurs in the mucus-producing cells lining the inner wall of the stomach. Other types include gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.²

Stomach cancer represents about 1.3% of all new cancer cases and occurs more commonly in men than in women. Older age, diet, and existing stomach disease (eg, infection with Helicobacter pylori) can increase the risk of stomach cancer. An estimated 10,880 deaths will occur due to stomach cancer in 2024.³

References: 1. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, National Cancer Institute. Stomach. SEER Training Modules. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/digestive/regions/stomach.html 2. National Cancer Institute. What is stomach cancer?. Accessed February 7, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/types/stomach 3. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: stomach cancer. Accessed April 25, 2024. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/stomach.html

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