Thursday, December 12, 2013

iwCLL 2013: Dr. Tom Kipps Discusses the Changing Role of Chemo-immunotherapy in CLL and the New Role of BCL-2 Blockers

Dr. Tom Kipps is my personal CLL physician and was announced the winner of the prestigious Binet-Rai award for his contribution to CLL research at the iwCLL 2013 meeting.

This interview from a few months ago provides important background to help understand and get perspective on the great news from ASH 2013 on ABT-199 that I will be reporting and analyzing here soon with the help of the many of the doctors who actually lead the research.

In the first part of this interview with Dr. Kipps in Cologne, Germany, he first lays out some of the groundwork of when not to use chemotherapy.

Next, he gives us some of the history of how BCL-2 blockers work. I love his cathedral and buttress analogy especially after walking through the beautiful and delicate cathedral in Cologne. It seems like only yesterday that I was there working at the iwCLL meeting and visiting the sights when I got a break.


Cologne Cathedral

Next he explains the risks of tumor lysis syndrome. Two deaths about a year ago that halted the trial for months. But it has restarted on was reported on at ASH.

And he touches us on the tricky area of how and when can we stop these meds.



Due to a technical glitch, the final part of Dr. Byrd's interview will have to wait.

I will be mixing videos and analysis from iwCLL and ASH over the next several weeks. So much to share.

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4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

These interviews are great. Allows us to understand where things are, what is and is not known and how that information may factor in to our CLL "future". Thank you for the time and effort you put into this.

What will you do with all your free time if and when CLL falls fully into the chronic or cured category?

December 12, 2013 at 5:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In love your stuff Brian... Your great questions and Dr. Kipps detailed answers are so informative.

December 12, 2013 at 7:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Prior post: What will you do with all your free time if and when CLL falls fully into the chronic or cured category?
Truly my favourite question to ponder for all of us. In the words of the Beach Boys, "Wouldn't it be nice...."

December 12, 2013 at 5:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brian, thanks for all you do! Terrific interviews sharing great info and so easy to understand. Dr. Kipps' analogies are terrific.

Hope you are fully recovered and feeling well.

Susan

December 13, 2013 at 6:15 PM  

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