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Why the ASH Meeting is Important for Patients with CLL

In science and medicine, information is constantly changing and may become out-of-date as new data emerge. All articles and interviews are informational only, should never be considered medical advice, and should never be acted on without review with your health care team.

Authored by Ann Liu, PhD

Medically Reviewed by Brian Koffman, MDCM (retired), MSEd

The American Society for Hematology (ASH) annual meeting is a scientific conference where researchers present their latest findings on blood diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). In this brief interview, Dr. Brian Koffman spoke with Dr. John Gribben, Professor of Medical Oncology at Barts Cancer Institute in London, England. They discussed why the ASH annual meeting is essential for patients.

ASH is the largest hematology conference in the US and every year, researchers are excited to present their new findings at the conference. You get to hear about the latest advancements in CLL / SLL research, including new therapies and follow-up data from clinical trials. Follow-up data allows scientists and clinicians to see how new therapies perform in the long term and whether there are any late-emerging side effects to be concerned about. This type of information is very informative for clinicians who want to help their patients decide on the best course of treatment.

Side effects are a major concern for patients because they affect their quality of life and can also affect how long they can stay on treatment. Doctors would like to ensure that patients can tolerate treatments to get the maximum benefit. As a patient, it is important to ask, “What are the side effects I can expect to experience with this treatment, and what can I do about them?” Every year, ASH provides new information that helps doctors and patients make informed decisions about treating CLL / SLL.

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Watch the interview here:

Why the ASH Meeting is Important for Patients with CLL

The American Society for Hematology (ASH) annual meeting is a scientific conference where researchers present their latest findings on blood diseases