The LLS Blog
Read about survivors, research, fundraising and advocacy.
How LLS and Advocates Helped Secure Landmark Health Reforms
Today, cancer patients—and others with other chronic conditions—are breathing a collective sigh of relief. After years of relentless efforts by LLS staff and blood cancer advocates, President Biden just signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act and its key health provisions which will make healthcare more affordable for millions.
FDA Approves New Option for Difficult to Treat, Rare Form of Childhood Leukemia
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved azacitidine (Vidaza®) for pediatric patients 1 month and older with newly diagnosed juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). JMML is an aggressive and difficult to treat disease.
More Than 5 Million New Yorkers Are Getting "In-Network" Access to Top Cancer Centers
New York’s newly-signed budget contains a key reform that could be nothing short of lifesaving for some cancer patients living in the state. National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers will become “in-network” for over 5 million New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid, Essential, or Marketplace plans.
CAR T-Cell Therapy Approved for Initial Treatment of Relapsed Large B-Cell Lymphoma
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week approved axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel, Yescarta®) for patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) who either did not respond to first-line standard chemotherapy or relapsed within 12 months. This is a big step for CAR T because it is now proven that CAR T-therapy can outperform the best therapy we had for certain patients that failed initial therapy.
New Drug Approval Moves Us Closer To Long-Term Control of Multiple Myeloma
Just one year after the first CAR T-cell treatment was approved for multiple myeloma, the second is about to hit the market. The FDA approved ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), trade name Carvykti™, last week for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have had at least four previous treatments.