ASCO 2016: Dr. Susan O’Brien on GDC-0853, a novel BTK inhibitor for CLL

Friends,

Well, I’m packing my bags again in preparation to speak at the European School of Hematology meeting being held in Portugal this coming weekend and then will take a few days R&R before heading back to what looks to be a really busy fall. Busy is good!

This week in the Conference Coverage section, we’ve posted an interview with Dr. Susan O’Brien out of UCI where we discussed an interesting abstract from ASCO 2016. It presents the pre-clinical data for a new molecule, GDC-0853 that has different way to bind to and block the BTK pathway, the same pathway that ibrutinib blocks. You can view that interview here. http://cllsociety.org/2016/09/asco-2016-dr-obrien-gdc-0853/

We are pleased to announce that a new CLL Patient & Caregiver Support and Education Group will be starting in partnership with the Levine Cancer Institute – Morehead in Charlotte, North Carolina. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 18th at 6:30 PM. Patients and family caregivers are welcome. Find out more about dates and registration here.

Another NEW CLL Patient & Caregiver Support and Education Group will be starting in Tampa this fall. Stay tuned for details!

From time to time, we will make you aware of in-person meetings coming up for those of us affected by CLL and lymphoma, specifically

:

·      Monday, September 12^th at 6 PM at The Westin Seattle in Seattle, WA: The Lymphoma Research Foundation will be hosting Updates on Lymphoma and Treatment Options as part of their Ask the Doctor series. John Pagel from The Swedish Cancer Institute is the featured speaker. You can find out more information and register here. Dinner will be served and there is no charge to attend.

·      Monday, September 19^th at 10 AM at The Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, Scotland: The CLL Support Association (CLLSA) is hosting a 2016 Glasgow Members Conference. Dr. Alison McCaig a consultant in the haematology department of the Royal Alexandra Hospital will be the featured speaker. You can find out more information and register here. Lunch and refreshments will be served and there is no charge to attend for members.

·      Wednesday, September 21st at 6 PM at the New York Marriott East Side in New York City: The Lymphoma Research Foundation will be hosting Updates on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia / Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma as part of their Ask the Doctor series. Rick Furman from New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical (also part of the CLL Society Medical Advisory Board) is the featured speaker. You can find out more information and register here. Dinner will be served and there is no charge to attend.

·      Saturday, October 8^th at 9 AM at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be hosting their New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area Blood Cancer Conference. Dr. Anthony Mato from the Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA will be speaking during the CLL breakout session. You can find out more information and register here. Breakfast and lunch will be served and there is no charge to attend. Parking is also complimentary.   

Heads Up! The CLL Society has become aware of a series of unbranded patient meetings coming up in September and October (with a few more to come in November and December). CLL patients will share their personal stories, and local CLL experts will be providing a talk on the basics of CLL. A complimentary meal will be provided and parking is free. You are welcome to bring a guest.

One member of the CLL Society will be at each meeting to show a brief video and give a talk about the impact support and education groups have had on their CLL journey. We will provide practical tips and support for setting up a local CLL group and will stay afterwards to meet with attendees who may be interested in participating in a support group in those areas. We look forward to meeting you there. After tonight’s meeting, the next 10 confirmed meetings are:

·      Tuesday, September 13^th in Orlando, FL. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Saturday, September 17^th in Long Island, NY. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Wednesday, September 21^st in Madison, WI. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Saturday, September 24^th in Framingham, MA. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Thursday, September 29^th in Portland, OR. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Tuesday, October 4^th in Phoenix, AZ. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Thursday, October 6^th in Park Ridge, NJ. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Tuesday, October 11^th in Bloomington, MN. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Tuesday, October 25^th in Golden, CO. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

·      Saturday, October 29^th in San Francisco, CA. More details in the flyer. Access it here.

In the meantime….

Stay strong.

We are all in this together.

Brian Koffman, MD

9/6/16

http://cllsociety.org