iwCLL 2021 | Updates from ERIC at iwCLL 2021

Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele and IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy, talks on updates from the European Research Initiative on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (ERIC), sharing the latest clinical data, key publications, and guidelines. Dr Ghia discusses ERIC’s previous accomplishments, which include the introduction of a standardized test to evaluate the mutation status of the immunoglobulin and p53 genes, and the addition of CD200 and ROR1 to the flow cytometry chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnostic panel. Subsequently, Dr Ghia elaborates on ERIC’s efforts to create a standardized measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment strategy and describes recent studies exploring the relationship between CLL and COVID-19. Finally, Dr Ghia highlights ERIC’s new patient empowerment program and mentions the organisation’s efforts to educate the community about CLL. This interview took place at the 19th International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) Biennial Meeting, held virtually in 2021.