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CLL Society’s 2024 Integrative Medicine Award – Dr. Christopher Jensen

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Christopher Jensen - CLL Society

Title of the Research Project:

“Combating Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Personalized Supportive Care Program”

Research Project Summary:

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) often struggle significantly with cancer-related fatigue. The goal of this research project is to gain knowledge about unique characteristics of cancer-related fatigue in those with CLL / SLL by collecting detailed patient feedback and then analyzing results to gain a better understanding of the impact that fatigue has on their quality of life. Study participants will be offered integrative medicine approaches (such as nutritional modification guidance and medical exercise programs) to help alleviate the severity of their fatigue. After these integrative interventions are implemented, any reported changes in their level of fatigue will be measured and obstacles to the utilization of integrative treatments will be analyzed. The study is designed to emphasize a patient-informed research approach that aims to shape future integrative medicine treatment strategies for those living with CLL / SLL.

About the Award Recipient, Dr. Christopher Jensen:

Christopher Jensen, MD, MSCR, is currently the Assistant Professor of Medicine with the lymphoma program at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where he has a special focus on CLL / SLL. He performed his hematology / oncology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania where he first became interested in pursuing a career specialized in CLL / SLL while under the mentorship of Dr. Anthony Mato. Dr. Jensen then came back to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to further his academic medical training. His original interest in hematology / oncology was driven by his grandfather’s diagnosis of acute leukemia.

Why Is Research About Fatigue in CLL / SLL Needed?

Cancer-related fatigue in CLL / SLL is a common concern, especially for those in the active surveillance phase of their disease (also called watch and wait), with various contributing factors. Treatment for disease progression can improve fatigue, but integrative medicine approaches may also help and lead to improvement in quality of life. Therapeutic treatments mainly improve fatigue when disease progression is the main cause. But for those who do not yet need treatment, integrative medicine approaches may be a helpful approach.

When Treating Fatigue in CLL / SLL, What Are the Challenges?

One of the biggest challenges is that there are currently no good ways to determine how much someone’s fatigue is directly related to their CLL / SLL, how much is related to underlying conditions, and how much is related to other miscellaneous factors such as lifestyle. The other big challenge is not being able to quantify or measure the exact level of fatigue a person is experiencing or track variations in levels of their fatigue. Dr. Jensen feels that there needs to be better ways measure levels of fatigue from a research standpoint. One of the goals of Dr. Jensen’s research project is to look at how integrative medicine approaches might improve cancer-related fatigue, and to get a sense of whether or not people’s quality of life can be improved with these non-medical interventions. 

Who Is Eligible for This Study?

Individuals who are living with CLL / SLL that are either treatment naïve (have never received treatment before) or who are in stable remission. The study does not intend to recruit individuals for this project that currently have active indications for starting treatment or who are currently on treatment, because the best thing for these individuals is to first get their cancer under control.

What Interventions Will Be Used?

From the patients who volunteer for the study, those who have problematic levels of fatigue will be identified and connected to some of the best integrative medicine resources available at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Interventions will include interventions such as diet modification and connecting patients with medical exercise program specialists. Participants with CLL / SLL will be connected with registered dieticians specializing in oncology nutrition who will assess the dietary habits of those who are in the study and analyze what nutritional changes were helpful in improving their cancer-related fatigue.

What is the Design of the Study?

Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to researching cancer-related fatigue in CLL / SLL patients will be used. For the qualitative part, CLL / SLL patients will be asked to describe the fatigue that they are experiencing at various intervals. For the quantitative approach, a dedicated group at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with expertise in turning patient stories into actionable research results will be engaged. Dr. Jensen will be working closely with participants to solicit input in a very organized way to capture a nuanced picture of how cancer-related fatigue is affecting their quality of life. He will also be examining what barriers exist which limit the use of integrative approaches that could potentially improve their fatigue. At the end of the study, participants will be asked what integrative interventions they found helpful and if they plan on continuing to use any of these approaches.

How Will the Findings Be Used?

There will be an emphasis on ensuring the patient voice strongly informs how integrative medicine research studies are designed moving forward. Any information gained as a result of this study will inform and potentially modify treatment approaches for those with CLL / SLL who are experiencing cancer-related fatigue.

Please watch the interview between CLL Society’s Director of Scientific Affairs and Research, Robyn Brumble, RN, MSN and Christopher Jensen, MD.

What Is the Goal of CLL Society’s Integrative Medicine Award?

This research award supports an exceptionally innovative research project that aims to provide an understanding of the mechanistic basis, or clinical outcomes related to the use of integrative medicine therapies, specifically for those living with CLL / SLL. The award is aimed towards exploring ideas that incorporate an integrative approach to addressing the many health challenges of those living with the disease, to help address gaps that exist in current research, and build a strong evidence base to improve quality of life for those living with the disease.

This 2024 Integrative Medicine Award was made possible through generous donations made by those in our community as part of a matching grant from the Sim Einstein Research Foundation, Inc. and Vigyan Singhal.

CLL Society invites you to read more about CLL Society’s Research Program. CLL Society is one of the only blood cancer organizations whose research program is dedicated solely to funding CLL / SLL research. CLL Society relies on the generous donations from our community to fund this important work.