ASH 2018 | Understanding risk factors for Ritcher’s transformation: addressing the unmet need
Carsten Niemann, MD, PhD, of Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark discusses the results from a population study aimed at understanding the risk factors associated with Richter’s transformation in patients with chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). The most surprising finding was that a significant cohort progressed to Richter’s syndrome before receiving any therapy. This finding highlights an unmet need for these high-risk patients, and Dr Niemann explains how further investigations are required in order to understand at a genetic level what sets these patients apart. This could allow for high-risk patients to be identified earlier on and for them to receive an alternative treatment which could stop progression to Richter’s transformation. This interview was recorded at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018 Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, CA.
