As a hematopathologist, I work on diagnostics of all types of hematological malignancies using a comprehensive panel of different techniques. Moreover, my main research interest involves Hodgkin lymphoma, with a strong focus on interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment. In addition, I also have a long standing interest in genetic susceptibility. My areas of expertise are: immunology, tumor cell biology, genetic association studies and molecular diagnostics in pathology. I actively participate in international (EORTC) and national (HOVON) clinical trials.
Description
Interview for ASH Clinical News
Description
Hematopatholoog dr. Arjan Diepstra, werkzaam in het UMC Groningen, beschrijft
samen met enkele Groningse en Amerikaanse collega’s in het tijdschrift Blood dat
verreweg de meeste patiënten met klassiek hodgkinlymfoom in de jaren voorafgaand
aan de diagnose verhoogde serumspiegels laten zien van het eiwit thymus and activation-
regulated chemokine (sTARC).1 Een gesprek met Diepstra over de achtergrond
en implicaties.
Description
It is possible to detect Hodgkin lymphoma early by using a simple blood test. This test identifies highly elevated levels of the specific protein TARC, that is secreted by Hodgkin’s tumour cells. In fact, an increased amount of TARC protein can be detected three to six years prior to diagnosis.
Description
Arjan Diepstra, PhD, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands, shares some insights into why the thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) protein is an attractive biomarker in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), highlighting that this protein is an important promoter of Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg cell growth, and is present at high levels in serum making it easily measurable. This interview took place at the 12th International Symposium on Hodgkin Lymphoma (ISHL12), held in Cologne, Germany.