Research Success Stories,
for Blood Cancer Patients
and More!
Deborah E. Banker, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research Communications
What is exciting in research ?
Targeted therapies!!!
What are targeted therapies?
 inhibit or otherwise use specific molecules (targets)
to selectively kill cancer cells
 Many of 1st advances in blood cancers; e.g. Gleevec,
Velcade (and Rituxan – more in a minute)*
 LLS funding critical in all of these success stories
* see Fruits of our Funding in LLSpace
A favorite targeted therapy success story
Gleevec – approved 2001 for CML patients
 now 90%+ 5-yr survival for newly diagnosed CML
 required decades of research investment - from basic science to clinical trials
- many researchers around the country / world
 LLS funded research at critical points – including
discovery of genetic abnormality by Dr. Rowley and
proof that inhibitor drug can work by Dr. Druker
More success!
 Gleevec also FDA-approved for children and adults
with a form of ALL, and patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders
– related molecular abnormalities
 LLS kept funding research that helped lead to
even more potent drugs – Sprycel and Tasigna
- work for some patients that Gleevec doesn’t help!
- may not need long-term treatments
More success!
 also approved for rare stomach and skin cancers
– previously no effective therapy for these patients
– related molecular abnormalities!
 Gleevec showing promise for patients with brain,
breast, ovarian and many other cancers – already in
late-stage clinical trials – related abnormalities
 and, in Alzheimer’s – again a related molecular
abnormality involved – will need to be reformulated to
work better in the brain, but how cool is this??
What else is exciting in research ?
Immunotherapies!!!
What are Immunotherapies?
Targeted therapies that
 help a patient’s own immune system fight infections
and cancer
 include stem cell transplantation, vaccines,
antibodies
LLS funding critical here too.
What are Antibodies?
 natural or engineered immune cell products
 bind cancer molecules /cells specifically
 focus anti-cancer immunity and/or
direct cancer killing
A favorite antibody success story – Rituxan
 LLS funding critical across ~20 years, multiple
researchers, from target discovery to clinical trials in
non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, and beyond
 Rituxan was the first targeted cancer medicine
approved by the U.S. FDA (1997), for patients with
certain forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
More success!
 Rituxan now approved to treat multiple forms of
NHL, and patients with Hodgkin lymphoma or
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), thanks to
advances by LLS-funded investigators.
 Rituxan is also used to treat patients with myeloma,
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, ALL, and to
prevent GVHD after stem cell transplantation,
advanced by multiple LLS-funded investigators
And, more success!
 Rituxan now proven as “maintenance” therapy,
safely preserving remissions in NHL patients
 Rituxan + methotrexate is approved for patients with
rheumatoid arthritis and being tested for patients
with other autoimmune diseases
 LLS helping to develop other therapeutic antibodies
* see Fruits of our Funding in LLSpace Research section
Multiple targeted therapies are probably
needed (incl. drugs, antibodies, vaccines…)
for optimal therapies as most cancers
involve multiple abnormalities.
We are part way there!!
LLS Continues Funding Success
• blood cancer patients still have urgent needs
• almost 400 research projects last year alone ($72M)
• the best, around the world
• from basic to clinical research
• advances help many cancer patients
Far-Reaching Success
 Of 39 new cancer drugs approved by the F.D.A since
2000, almost half (19) were approved as treatments for
blood cancer patients!
 Many of these were advanced with LLS support.
 All 19 being tested for patients with other diseases
 5 (incl. Gleevec) already approved for more patients,
beyond those for whom they were first developed
Learn More on LLSpace
Dr. Banker's Research Nuggets -
One-page summaries of important research stories
LLS Research Fast Facts – The basics you need to know for your next meeting
LLS Research Areas and Advances – More, including specific funding distribution
Fruits of our Funding - How LLS funding advanced important treatments incl. for other patients
LLS Research Grants In Force - Find researchers in your chapter area
Food for Thought
How can you use this information to steward LLS
supporters or reach out to new prospects?
i.e. Why should LLS supporters care?????
How can you make these stories your own?