CLL Society
WHAT’S NEW
Your connection to the most current news, information, and data about Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
We suggest you BOOKMARK this page and visit it often. All content was current as of the date it was published.
In science and in medicine, information is constantly changing. Published content may become out-of-date as new information and data emerge.
COVID-19 Updates
What the CDC’s COVID-19 Isolation Change Means for CLL Patients
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Koffman was asked how the CDC’s proposed recommendation to cut COVID-19 isolation time will impact those with CLL.
The CLL Nurses Note: Strategies for Reducing Infections During Holiday Gatherings
With the holidays fast approaching, those living with CLL / SLL especially need to remember ways to decrease the chance of catching one of the many viruses that are rapidly spreading this time of year.
NIH Home Test to Treat Program
Now there is a new trial (SUPERNOVA) of an updated mix of monoclonal antibodies that hopes to provide durable protection against present and future variants of concerns.
Living with CLL
If you are a veteran, active-duty military, or a care partner and would be interested in joining a CLL Society Support Group for veterans / active-duty military, please complete this brief survey to indicate your interest in participating and help us identify the best time for meeting.
CLL Advocate Network (CLLAN), a global network of CLL patient organizations including CLL Society, surveyed nonprofits around the world to understand what support services and resources are offered to individuals impacted by CLL / SLL. The information collected was used to build a global resource hub. Patients and care partners can access the resource hub for free on the CLLAN website.
More Good News in my Epcoritamab CLL Trial and an FDA Panel
It’s been a month since my last post on progress in my trial of epcoritamab, a bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) for my chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
CLL and Chaplaincy
Dr. Brian Koffman spoke with Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff, a physician specializing in complex, chronic, mysterious illnesses. They discussed the role of diet and nutrition in CLL.
SPECIAL FEATURE: CLL Society’s Emotional and Spiritual Advocate Program
CLL Society is pleased to announce the launch of our new Emotional and Spiritual Advocate Program with board-certified chaplain Rabbi Rebecca Kamil. Rabbi Kamil invites patients and care partners to connect on a variety of topics and can support individuals and families regardless of their spiritual and religious affiliations or beliefs. CLL Society is committed to promoting the emotional and mental well-being of our community, and we invite you to take advantage of this new resource.
To learn more about chaplaincy and the support chaplains can provide to those in the CLL / SLL community, read Rabbi Rebecca Kamil’s article.
Complete a Community Profile with CLL Society
CLL Society wants to better understand the experiences and characteristics of CLL in the individuals we serve and are asking for your participation in completing a profile questionnaire.
The information you provide will help CLL Society enhance our efforts, education, and programs in a manner that better fits the needs of our community. Additionally, de-identified demographic and CLL-specific data about our community can help us demonstrate the valuable support we provide to individuals impacted by CLL / SLL to expand our work.
ADVOCACY AND POLICY
CLL Society Urges CMS to Monitor Patient Impact in Implementing the IRA
CLL Society joined fellow advocates in expressing the need for CMS to implement proactive guardrails around Part D health plans’ use of utilization management tools.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, March 6th at 10:30 AM PT / 1:30 PM ET
Join CLL Society and PlatformQ Health live for a virtual event with an expert panel including Drs. Matthew Davids, Danielle Brander, and Brian Koffman to learn how patients and their care partners can work with their healthcare team on therapy goals. Topics will include cytogenetic testing for CLL, how test results impact treatment choices, factors that determine initial treatment, treatment options for relapsed/refractory CLL, and more. Learn more and register here.
Tuesday, March 19th at 9:30 AM PT / 12:30 PM ET
Join CLL Society and Dr. Onyemaechi Okolo-Taku, who will discuss a variety of integrative oncology approaches including diet, exercise, stress reduction, supplements, meditation, and more. CLL patient advocate Stephen Brown will share his personal story of being diagnosed with CLL and the four guideposts that have helped him along his journey. Learn more and register to attend: Navigating Integrative Medicine Approaches in CLL.
On-Demand Replay
If you missed the recent webinar, Preventing COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Infections in Those with CLL / SLL During Peak Winter Months, you can catch the on-demand replay of here!
If you missed the recent Q&A-style Facebook Live Event, “Ask Me Anything” with Dr. Sameer Parikh and patient advocate Jeff Folloder, you can catch the on-demand replay of here!
Watch Why Policy Matters – Understanding How Your CLL / SLL Journey is Affected to learn the importance of policy decisions for individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, CLL / SLL.
Treatment Updates
Genomic Evolution of CLL During Pirtobrutinib Therapy
The majority of CLL patients who had previously relapsed on covalent BTK inhibitors responded well to pirtobrutinib therapy.
Pirtobrutinib for Richter’s Transformation
Pirtobrutinib is a useful treatment option to temporarily manage Richter’s transformation, but long-term treatments are still needed.
Zanubrutinib Extends Remission Time vs. Ibrutinib in CLL / SLL
Patients with relapsed/refractory CLL / SLL treated with zanubrutinib had longer remissions than patients treated with ibrutinib.
Equitable Access and Regulatory News
FDA Approves Liso-cel, the First and Only CAR-T for CLL / SLL
FDA approved lisocabtagene maraleucel, the first CAR-T for relapsed / refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).