New Drugs for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

20150613_153453

EHA20 Daily – Saturday, June 13, 2015

The Saturday Conference Program of EHA20 covers several session types that are not only very relevant for clinicians and scientists, but also highlight areas that might have a direct impact on day-to-day patient care and clinical practice.

Topic 1: Collaborating with patients for successful hematology research and for assessment of optimal benefits and risks.

Clinical trials are used to determine the efficacy of new treatments, and patients are included in such trials based on specific well-defined criteria. There is a growing need to involve patients in the trial design, so that recommendations and experiences by patients themselves can be taken into account. It is important to realize that there may be differences in how patients and health care providers assess risks and benefits. This session will cover the role and importance of including patients at various levels of clinical research.

Topic 2: New Drugs for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults, and is still considered an incurable disease. The recent discovery and clinical approval of new drugs specifically targeting a protein called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) have greatly improved patient response and survival. Building on the remarkable success of this personalized treatment strategy, additional drugs have been developed and tested. Three of the novel drugs that will be discussed in this session target aprotein similar to BTK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and may be just as successful. The data presented in this session may give first insight into the next targeted wave in CLL therapy and provide an alternative for relapsed and refractory patients.

Topic 3: CAR-T Cells: empowering the immune system of the patient to target cancer cells.

The isolation and reprogramming of specific blood cells from cancer patients is an exciting new approach to treating hematologic cancers. Dr. Carl June (University of Pennsylvania) will present how modifying these cells, called T cell lymphocytes, to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) can provide the tools to the T-cells to recognize and destroy the patients’ cancer cells. These genetically engineered T-cells ( “CAR-T cells”) are very specific and have a superior function compared to the normal T-cells from the natural immune system. Initial studies using this strategy have shown promising results, opening the door for similar approaches to target various cancers and involvement of the pharmaceutic industry.

Topic 4: Improving access to medicine: generics and biosimilars

Generic medicines, which are similar to medicines that have already been authorised, provide a benefit to society by ensuring patient access to safe and effective medicines at a lower cost. A ‘biosimilar’ medicine is a biological medicine that is similar to another biological medicine that has already been authorised for use. Generic medicines or biosimilars can only be authorised for use once the period of data exclusivity on the original ‘reference’ medicine has expired. These medicines enhance existing market competition in the European Union, and should be available in all EU member states. This session will discuss the opportunities and problems related to generic medicines and biosimilars.

Topic 5: Haematologica Celebration Session

Haematologica is the oldest hematology journal in the world (founded in 1920), and is currently among the top 5 hematology journals, publishing important new findings in basic, translational and clinical hematology research. The journal is owned by the Italian Ferrata Storti Foundation, and has been the official journal of the European Hematology Association for 10 years. In 2015 Haematologica is celebrating the publication of volume 100 with several activities, including a ‘celebration session’ during the EHA congress.

Topic 6: Cost of Blood Disorders & hematology research roadmap for Europe

Most blood disorders are rare, but if all blood disorders are taken together, they affect a large group of individuals of all ages. Moreover, as treatment is improving more patients survive and require long term follow up. However, a clear view on the economic burden of all blood disorders in Europe is lacking. The European Hematology Association has initiated a study to get a comprehensive view on the cost of blood disorders. Such data will be important to inform policy makers on the importance of hematology in general and on the specific needs for hematology research. The EHA will also present a roadmap for hematology research in Europe.

Topic 7: Functional Genomics: Early Career Session

The two Early Career Sessions at this year’s meeting are designed to educate young hematologists on cutting-edge research areas and related techniques. One of the speakers will be Stefan Grӧschel (University of Heidelberg), a young hematologist who recently published his work in the top journal Cell, will provide his expert insights into the new CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This new technology, which is based on a protein derived from bacteria, now enables researchers to specifically modify the genome of target cells. In this way, precise changes can be made, allowing activation or inactivation of genes, and even correct mutations that lead to disease.

Comments are closed.

Austrian Flag
Bild aus dem Parlament
000_5151A
000_2207A

Advertising? Werbung? Click on the picture below. Klicken Sie auf das Bild unten. kawther [dot] salam [at] gmail [dot] com

000_8696b_edited-1

Advertising? Werbung? Click on the picture below. Klicken Sie auf das Bild unten. kawther [dot] salam [at] gmail [dot] com

Related Books


Support this site by buying these books at Amazon. Thank you!

000_4195A
000_4229A
000_1418A
Der Stephansplatz

Der Stephansplatz

Johann Strauß

Johann Strauß

000_8728

Volksgarten

Nikon (57)

Kurpark Oberlaa

000_2638A

Verbrechen in Israel

Add to Netvibes Creative Commons License