GCLLSG 2016 | What we can learn about treating CLL from research on other cancers

Barbara Eichhorst, MD of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, discusses how sharing data between groups on cancer can help a progression in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Dr Eichhorst mentions focusing on the molecular basis of cancer and treating it more according to genetic lesions. There are many things that can be learnt from other diseases, for example, with checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors. Further, we can learn from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) where kinase inhibitors have been available for nearly 20 years now; experts have learnt that it is important to get fast and deep remissions. She explains that perhaps that this could apply to the treatment of CLL patients, i.e. instead of a continuous, long treatment. Dr. Eichhorst concludes by stating that it may be better to use combinations and check for early response or early resistance. Recorded at the 2016 International Workshop of the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) in Cologne, Germany.