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Ask the Doctor Part 1: Five Questions about Leukemia

Leukemia Survivor, Myrrah Talks to Dr. Nichols about the Latest in Leukemia Research and Treatment

 

Matilda, blood cancer survivor

Bold goal, bold action

As we observe World Cancer Day, I’m reflecting on my own family’s experience with blood cancer, the children with blood cancer I have had the honor of knowing, and the many individuals and families who have been impacted by a blood cancer diagnosis.

Our work at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has had a positive impact on so many, but we can do even more to accelerate progress for the blood cancer patients we serve.

Targeting aberrant epigenetic condensates in myeloid malignancies

Genetic changes of ASXL1 are very frequent in human blood cancers. We found that the altered forms of ASXL1 protein promote blood cancers through forming tiny liquid-like droplets in the cell. In this project, we aim to develop a method to specifically break these droplets to inhibit its activity in driving blood cancers.
Cayden holds his stuffed animal.

We Dare to Dream so Their Dreams Come True

Did you know that blood cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for children, accounting for 40% of pediatric cancer cases? In fact, nearly 55,000 children and adolescents in the United States currently have blood cancer or are in remission from blood cancer.  

Ask the Doctor Part 2: Five Questions about Lymphoma

Lymphoma survivor, Jessica Melore talks to Dr. Nichols about the Latest in Lymphoma Research and Treatment

Ask the Doctor Part 3: Five Questions about Myeloma

Myeloma Survivor, Sharon Clark Talks to Dr. Nichols about the Latest in Myeloma Research and Treatment

Families Fighting for Cancer Cures: Generation LLS

 

As an organization founded by a family for families, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is celebrating 70 years of impact on generations of families, researchers and volunteers while looking to the future by redoubling its commitment to improve treatments and care for children with cancer.

People from three featured stories: Charlie, Ken, and Chloe

A Source of Hope: Understanding Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplants

Imagine a community filled with families, friends, and healthcare professionals united to transform the meaning of living with blood cancer. This diverse group of people—including researchers, doctors, care partners, and healthcare teams—are bound together by hope, resilience, and a shared goal: to overcome the challenges and live longer better lives.

Breaking News Leukemia

FDA Approves First CAR T-Immunotherapy for Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced approval of brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus®) as the first and only CAR T-cell treatment for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Roughly half of all ALL cases occur in adults, and unlike pediatric ALL, adults have historically had a poor prognosis. This approval, which follows an FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation and priority review, is a meaningful advance for these patients.

What I’ve Learned: Tips for Parents of Kids with ALL

 

 

My daughter Mackenzie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in January 2014. Despite being the most common form of childhood cancer that has a very prescribed protocol with better-than-most survival rates, the diagnosis petrified me. My nine-year-old had cancer.

A researcher analyzes a specimen in a test tube.

Blood Cancer Research Poised for Another ‘Banner Year’ in 2024

More than 25,000 medical professionals from across the world came together in December to discuss the latest blood cancer developments during the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). This annual event gives us the opportunity to think about what advances are on the horizon as LLS works to strengthen cures, care and quality of life for people with blood cancer and their families.   

Valerie with a shaved head standing in front of balloons

3 Insights from a Clinical Trial Patient

The road to finding new and better cancer treatments often includes an important step: clinical trials. For patients with hard-to-treat diseases, these studies can be superhighways to the right treatment. A clinical trial can tell oncologists whether a new treatment works, how certain cancer types affect the body, and more.  

middle aged white woman with curly blonde hair and glasses with her chin resting on her hand wearing a pink and purple print shirt

Daniel

My children and I lost their mother and my wife in March 2008, six WEEKS after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She was 41 years old. Our children were teenagers. There are no words to describe the pain and grief the three of us went through, a pain that I know we share with others who have lost a loved one through ANY form of cancer. We must rise up together and DEFEAT all forms of cancer. I urge you to help in any way you can!

Engaging in virtual advocacy

LLS makes progress for blood cancer patients through virtual advocacy

Meetings with lawmakers, testimonies at state legislatures, and events with passionate volunteers are all staples of advocacy. Historically, those are some of the ways we accomplish that work. But COVID-19 prompted us to rethink the way our staff and volunteers share their message with lawmakers.

Bispecific antibody-based frontline therapy for follicular lymphoma

We are conducting a clinical trial testing a novel form of immunotherapy, called a bispecific antibody, as part of initial treatment for patients with follicular lymphoma. The goal of the trial is two-fold: 1) to establish a highly effective, chemotherapy-free treatment option for patients with follicular lymphoma, and 2) to establish predictors of response and toxicity that can guide treatment decisions for future patients with follicular lymphoma.
Myeloma cell and model of human skeleton

Champions in myeloma research, Part 2: A conversation with Suzanne Lentzsch, M.D., Ph.D.

To commemorate both Myeloma Awareness Month and Women’s History Month during March, I’ve been talking with LLS-funded women scientists who are driving discovery for myeloma patients. As we close out the month and my two-part series on myeloma researchers, I’m excited to share my recent conversation with Suzanne Lentzsch, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Program at Columbia University. 

Immunotherapeutic Targeting of FCRL1 in CLL

Evolving insights into the B cell-restricted FCRL1 surface protein reveal that it integrates with critical signaling pathways and is a promising immunotherapeutic target in CLL. Based on preclinical evaluation of novel FCRL1 monoclonal antibodies, we propose developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for targeting in unique mouse models and patient-derived cells. The results will form the basis for strategic drug development and clinical testing in CLL and related B cell malignancies.

Modeling LSC heterogeneity at unprecedented resolution in AML

Our goal is to perform high-resolution molecular characterization of human leukemia stem cells (LSCs). We have developed an integrated set of single-cell techniques that will assess transcriptional, genomic, and phenotypic features of primary LSC populations obtained from patients undergoing varying forms of treatment. We expect to create a molecular atlas of primary LSCs that will provide the leukemia research community with a powerful resource for the development of improved therapies.

Discovery and therapeutic targeting of novel mechanisms driving Double Hit Lymphomas

Double-hit lymphoma (DHL) is an aggressive form of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) defined by co-occuring MYC and BCL2 rearrangements. DHL has been linked to very poor outcomes when treated with R-CHOP chemotherapy. Effective treatments to prevent treatment failure remain a critical unmet need. This proposal will develop novel, mechanism-based therapeutic regimens for DHL that overcome chemotherapy resistance and defective immune surveillance to improve outcomes.