Welcome to the Third 2017 Issue of The CLL Tribune
We’ve Come a Long Way—Together.
It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since the first issue of the CLL Tribune. Time goes by so quickly. And, even more remarkable, so much has happened in the CLL community in the last two years. While effective new therapies are in use, and promising ones are on the horizon, statistics alone estimate that more than 40,000 people were diagnosed with CLL during this time. But CLLsociety.org and the CLL Tribune were both there to help the newly diagnosed as well as the CLL veteran. More than 2,500 people subscribe to the quarterly newsletter and the number climbs monthly.
The CLL Tribune and the CLL Society’s website, however, would not be possible without you—the CLL patient or caregiver who walks your own special journey with this still largely incurable disease.
More than 45 of you have written newsletter articles to share your knowledge and experience. We would love to have more patient or caregiver authors – reach out to us here. Twenty-seven have stepped up to lead CLL Society patient support groups in their cities (Duarte, CA; Orange, CA; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; Milwaukee, WI; Cleveland, OH; Montreal; Rochester, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Washington DC; Tampa, FL; Orlando, FL) with more planned to start in the near future. More than 1,000 have participated in our patient and caregiver surveys. Plus, your tax deductible contributions to the CLL Society have helped keep our mission alive. Find out more about all the things we have accomplished together at cllsociety.org/donate-to-cll-society.
Thank you all. Stay strong. We are all in this together.
Living Well With CLL
10th anniversary of the Orange County CLL Patient and Caregiver Support Group
By Patients Brian Koffman, MD, Wanda Zimmer, Janet Morrison, Terry Evans, and Joe Greenblatt
I am blessed to have been part of a CLL specific support group for the last ten years….Read more
My Remarkable Journey with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
By Glenn Sabin – Patient
In the fall of 1991, at the age of 28, a routine physical with my primary care physician swiftly changed from its predictable pattern and transformed into a shocking diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)…Read more
Things to Know About Ibrutinib
By Tom Henry – CLL Patient and Pharmacist
Ibrutinib (eye-broo-ti-nib), which is marketed under the tradename of Imbruvica® in the U.S. and Canada, is a small molecule inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK)…Read more
My Letter to Caregivers
By Dr. La Verne Abe Harris – Patient
When I was diagnosed with cancer, my focus was on my health and finding a way of getting better and improving my chances of survival….Read more
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Did You Know?
The Basics
Prognostic Factors in CLL
By Manali Kamdar, MD
The presentation and course of CLL is strikingly varied in patients, with some individuals presenting with a biologically indolent course whereas others present with an aggressive course….Read more
Beyond The Basics
Cirmtuzumab: What’s all the ROR-ing about?
By Michael Choi, MD
The holy grail of cancer therapy research is to make a treatment that can distinguish between cancer cells and normal tissues. Cirmtuzumab was designed with this in mind….Read more
Ask & Tell
In each newsletter over the last two years, we have asked your opinions in a brief survey and share the results with you from prior surveys… Read more
Ask The Doctor
Questions submitted by readers and answered by the CLL Society Medical Advisory Board
By Richard Furman, MD
Dr. Richard Furman of Weill-Cornell Medical College answers readers’ questions submitted to the Q2 2017 issue of The CLL Tribune…Read more
Conference Coverage
Dr. Tal Munir on CLL Trial Design in the United Kingdom
By Talha Munir, MD and Brian Koffman, MD
I met with Dr. Tal Munir at the CLL Ireland First National CLL Patient & Carer Day Information and Advocacy on Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Dublin, Ireland where I was privileged to be part of the faculty….Read The Interview
We’d like to thank the supporters of The CLL Tribune:
- AbbVie
- Beigene
- Genentech/Biogen Idec
- Gilead
- Novartis
- Pharmacyclics/Janssen
- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals
- TEVA Pharmaceuticals
- TG Therapeutics
- Verastem
DISCLAIMER
The CLL Society does not provide medical advice or endorsements. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all content in the CLL Tribune is the opinion or information of its author, not the CLL Society. This newsletter is for reference and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any of the materials. Always contact your own doctor or other professional healthcare provider if you have any questions concerning your or your family’s health. Everyone’s circumstances are different.