Author: Editor

Is stem cell transplant (SCT) a viable option for MPN patients? Noted MPN specialist and researcher, Dr. David Snyder from City of Hope, discusses new refinements to SCT, including the matching process as well as protocols for preparing for transplant. Dr. Snyder stresses that the conversation about SCT should happen early in treatment and should be an ongoing dialogue between patient and specialist. Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/patientpower Like on Facebook | http://www.fb.com/patientpower.info Follow on Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/patientpower Follow on Google+ | http://www.google.com/+patientpowerinfo

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Stephan Stilgenbauer, MD, PhD of Ulm University, Ulm, Germany, talks about individualized treatment and delivering the right treatment for the right patient in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Prof. Stilgenbauer explains that we are now on the road towards individualized treatment. There is data available from genome wide sequencing (GWS) studies that really help identify the landscape of CLL cancer driver mutations. Prof. Stilgenbauer mentions bringing this into clinical trials in the light of the novel agents, to identify the particular subgroups that benefit best from a particular given treatment. Prof. Stilgenbauer is optimistic that the coming months will bring new,…

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Barbara Eichhorst, MD of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, discusses how sharing data between groups on cancer can help a progression in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Dr Eichhorst mentions focusing on the molecular basis of cancer and treating it more according to genetic lesions. There are many things that can be learnt from other diseases, for example, with checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors. Further, we can learn from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) where kinase inhibitors have been available for nearly 20 years now; experts have learnt that it is important to get fast and deep remissions.…

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Arnon Kater, MD, PhD of the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands talks about how to overcome mental health issues that may be seen within chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients at the 2016 International Workshop of the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) in Cologne, Germany. Prof. Kater explains that when you deal with CLL, who you are never going to cure, considering their quality of life becomes very important. Although it is very challenging, clinicians must help patients understand that they shouldnt be the disease but instead have the disease. In this way it is easier for the patient to live…

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Jennifer Woyach, MD of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH talks developments in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) at the 2016 International Workshop of the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) in Cologne, Germany. Dr Woyach explains that this an exciting time for CLL as we are moving away from chemotherapy towards targeted therapies alone or in combination with expectation of good efficacy, good tolerability and hopefully long durations of remission.

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Jasmin Bahlo, PhD of University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany talks about the analysis of the projects that are underway at the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) at the 2016 International Workshop of the GCLLSG in Cologne, Germany. Dr Bahlo explains that there is a lot of analysis to do; for example there are Phase III trials that are being analysed, there is the data for the CLLM1 trial (NCT01556776), which is being prepared for publication and further, they have a publication on minimal residual disease (MRD) in combination with response to treatment.

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Barbara Eichhorst, MD of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, discusses how best to deal with Richters transformation. Dr Eichhorst begins by stating that the best treatment for Richters transformation is to control the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), so that the transformation will not have a chance to develop. Dr. Eichhorst mentions a presentation given at this years GCLLSG congress, showing the different mutations observed in Richters transformation in comparison to de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is already established that Richters is a completely different disease to DLBCL and CLL. As there are so many genetic aberrations…

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Federico Caligris-Cappio, MD of Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy, talks about new treatment and traditional treatment options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at the 2016 International Workshop of the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) in Cologne, Germany. Prof. Caligris-Cappio explains that whenever there are new drugs, there is a huge temptation to jump to these drugs and forget about the rest. He believes that doctors must think about the particular patient in these situations. All the aspects of the patient, their fears and expectations, must be taken into consideration and weighed up to decide which treatment is best for…

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Arnon Kater, MD, PhD of the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands talks about how he thinks clinicians should talk to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients about their hopes and expectations at the 2016 International Workshop of the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) in Cologne, Germany. He explains that clinicians should not talk about cures to patients. Furthermore, patients should know that CLL is becoming more and more a chronic disease. Further, it is extremely important for quality of life assessments to be done for all the new clinical studies; even though the side effects are often small, having these side…

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