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.
