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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.
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!
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.
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.
Targeting mutant IDH2 in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma is a rare, aggressive form of T-cell lymphoma associated with poor clinical outcomes in response to current therapeutic approaches. Recurrent oncogenic mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) have been identified in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and this represents a targetable lesion in other malignancies. However, comprehensive investigations of mutant IDH2 inhibition in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma are lacking, and this may represent a new therapeutic avenue for a patient population in need of newer treatmentsMultiple Myeloma Support from the Microenvironment: Bone Marrow Adipocytes and the Fatty Acid Binding Proteins
Our project’s goal is to change how multiple myeloma is understood and treated by interrogating a novel part of the cellular “soil” (the bone marrow adipocyte), in which myeloma cells, or “seeds”, land and grow. We will discover new forms of cancer drug resistance that are driven by adipocyte-derived factors and the fatty acid binding proteins. This work will expose new ways to overcome drug resistance to improve survival and quality of life for myeloma and other hematological cancer patients.
Jayson
On October 29, 2023, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the age of 24. Before cancer, I moved through life without a care in the world, living each day like tomorrow was guaranteed. That all changed in an instant.
Luis
I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 2008. I immediately started my chemo treatment in pill form which is Gleevec® 400 mg. I was in treatment for seven years until 2015, and I completely stopped all treatments. I have been cancer-free for the past nine years. I want to share my story and experiences with others.
Christian
Christian Macias survived two battles with cancer, the first being in 2010. He was diagnosed with stage 2 Non-Hodgkin Burkitt’s lymphoma (NHL). He fought long and hard. Unfortunately, a few years later in 2017, his cancer came back in a different form. This time he was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). It had spread throughout part of his body, but once again he fought long and hard, and he beat it! Sadly, his cancer came back once again.
Brittany
Brittany, a 37-year-old mother, is currently fighting leukemia for the second time. Known for her generosity and support for others, Brittany enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and above all, loving her son. Unfortunately, on August 6, 2022, Brittany received an unexpected diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when she was 35 weeks pregnant. This news shattered her perfect pregnancy plans and forced her into a battle against cancer.
Amber
On November 22, 2013, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). There was no sign that anything was wrong until I went in for routine blood work. My platelet count, which should have been in the 150,000 to 400,000 mcL range, was over a million. After a bone marrow biopsy, my oncologist discovered that I had Philadelphia chromosome–positive CML.
My diagnosis opened my eyes to just how much has been accomplished in the fight against cancer.
Dorette
I was first told I had non-hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 20. I had no idea what that was, I just knew it was a form of cancer and that there was a possibility that I may not survive.
My first reaction was shock, then I was in denial, and then I felt scared. I came to an acceptance that I may not live but I have to at least fight trying.
I started my treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. I'm now proud to say it's been 26 years since. I survived! I beat Cancer!
Michael
In 1995, Michael’s daughter Carley was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), M-7 – a rare form of blood cancer – at just two and a half years old. For the following year, Michael and his wife, Liz, practically lived at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego while Carley underwent heavy chemotherapy treatment.
Lisa
I lost my big brother Vincent J. Di Cristo to two forms of cancer on February 14, 2014. He apparently had both high grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma as well as Burkitt lymphoma. I’m very confused as to how he could have had two different types of cancer because as far as I know, he was always in good health.
Michael
I’m a 12-year survivor of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I was diagnosed on Sunday, October 4, 2009.
My oncologist was Dr. Ian Flinn. The first 24 hours following my diagnosis were very harrowing. I was ground transported from Murfreesboro to Sarah Cannon Cancer Center in Nashville where they had a gurney awaiting me curbside. A nurse by the name of Regina stayed with me for almost the entire duration of my first eight hours.
Nicole
In the summer of 2016, I wasn't feeling like my usual energetic self and felt tired all the time. Initially, I attributed my tiredness to my busy life as a wife and mother with a full-time job outside the home. Some of my other symptoms were weight loss, night sweats, and a persistent feeling that something was always stuck in my throat.
Caitlin
In June 2016, I was diagnosed with a super rare form of leukemia called Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Neoplasm (BPDCN).
At the time I was 12 years old, just graduated sixth grade and was looking forward to entering middle school.
During one of my gymnastics practices, while doing a dismount off the beam, I hit my ankle really hard which caused it to bruise. The bruise formed into a lump so my mom took me to my pediatricians who then referred us to my hospital, where I received a skin biopsy and was diagnosed with cancer a week later.