Dr. Koffman’s Bispecific T-cell Engager (epcoritamab) Trial for CLL Blog
Despite an aggressive flavor of CLL, I enjoyed a 7+ year remission from my PCI-32765 (now known as ibrutinib), phase 1 trial, and 5+ years from my JCAR-014 (the parent of liso-cel) phase 1 trial. Now I am hoping that I get a similar response from my epcoritamab (EPCORE™) trial with this new bispecific T cell engaging monoclonal. Join and learn with me as I blog about my experiences.
August 2025 marks two full years that I’ve enjoyed the benefits from my trial of epcoritamab, a bispecific T-cell-engaging monoclonal antibody for my CLL. But the last remains of my chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have remained stubbornly persistent for about a year and a half.
Infections are the leading cause of death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). My epcoritamab trial has put me at risk.
August 2025 marks 2 years on the epcoritamab trial for Dr. Koffman. Since February 2024, blood tests have shown 0-1 cancer cell per million blood cells. Time to quit?
Testing for measurable residual disease (MRD) through next-generation sequencing (NGS) with clonoSEQ revealed zero to one cell per million in the blood.
I started epcoritamab, a bispecific antibody, in August 2023, and now, entering 2025, I continue to do well in complete remission with low levels of MRD.
One year after Dr. Brian Koffman enrolled as the first chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patient in the epcoritamab clinical trial, all is well.
My CLL wasn’t detectable in my bloodstream after about six months in my epcoritamab trial, it almost certainly was still hiding below the level of detection.
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.
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.
I found out last week that I am not only in a complete remission, but also there was no measurable CLL in my peripheral blood done by flow cytometry, down to 1 in 10,000 cells
The beginning of a new calendar year is not a good reason to make radical changes, but it may mark a timely moment to reflect on what’s gone well and what could be better going forward.
With my CLL well controlled, my IVIG aboard, and my epcoritamab injections now every two weeks, the timing is perfect. I am in good shape heading to ASH.
Hippocrates said: “Art is long, and life is short.” The creation outlives its creator. How does that translate to my work and the work of the CLL Society?
I have been mostly silent on my blog as there has not been much to report related to my phase 1 clinical trial for my relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). No news is good news.
My last three doses of full-strength epcoritamab (48 mg) have been nonevents. There was some mild fatigue and itching the next day, but there is really nada to report. No cytokine release syndrome (CRS), for sure. All good.
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