chat
Our campaigns and advocacy team attended the European Haematology Association conference in June to hear the latest news from research, clinical trials and clinical practice. Here are some of the latest updates in CLL coming out of the conference, with a highlights video from the clinicians
Two of the big topics in CLL at the conference were:
- MRD – minimal, or measurable, residual disease
Using the most sensitive methods of detection, clinicians are now able to detect 1 leukaemia cell within 100,000 healthy cells. This is minimal residual disease (MRD), the presence of very small but still measurable numbers of leukaemia cells.
MRD negativity (no detectable cells) has not previously been the end goal of CLL treatment, however, it is looking increasingly important with the introduction of novel agents and combination therapies. Clinical trials have been demonstrating that patients are significantly more likely to achieve MRD negativity than with current standard treatments. This is of importance as MRD negativity is associated with longer remission and survival.
- Combination therapies
There have been new targeted therapies in CLL that are at the moment used as single agents e.g. ibrutinib and venetoclax. These have proven to be very effective, but clinical trials are assessing whether there is increased efficacy by combining the agents. Clinical trials, such as the MURANO trial, are assessing the effectiveness of combination therapies and the data was presented at the conference.
Watch some of the highlights from CLL clinicians, Guy Pratt and Parag Jasani, in the following video:
View more videos from the conference by visiting our YouTube page here.