Bkoffman

LATEST ARTICLES ( 340 )

• ASH 2018: Dr. Neil Kay on How Stromal Cells Keep CLL (chronic Lymphocytic...

  

  At ASH 2018 in San Diego, CA, I interviewed Dr. Neil Kay out of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, an innovative chronic lymphocytic leukemia researcher who besides... Read more

  Posted on 04 August 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• So Tired

  .I have been tired and sleepy for weeks now. Which is weird as my CLL is in a deep deep deep remission.I first blamed it on stress- have a googol of problems... Read more

  Posted on 14 July 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• May 15, 2019: FDA Approved Venetoclax in Combination with Obinutuzumab for the...

  

  This is very big news.This is the first non-chemotherapy based fixed duration treatment for CLL in treatment naïve patients.Until this approval, the only... Read more

  Posted on 23 May 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Acalabrutinib Phase III ASCEND Trial Met Primary Endpoint at Interim Analysis...

  This trial in previously treated CLL patients showed a clinically significant progression free survival when compared to a combination regimen of rituximab... Read more

  Posted on 12 May 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• One Year CAR-T Anniversary to Treat My CLL and an Interview with Dr. Siddiqi...

  HiMarch 22, 2019 was my one year anniversary of receiving my experimental CAR-T cells in Seattle.About a month earlier, I got the great news that I remain U-MRD... Read more

  Posted on 27 March 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• CMS Approval of CAR-T Therapy

  CMS approves CAR-T therapy payment, but with significant strings attached. For more details see:... Read more

  Posted on 17 February 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• The Evolving Role of Clinical Trials in CLL (chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia)

  Hi,As many of you know, I am alive today because of my entering two phase I clinical trials, one for PCI-32765 that later became known as ibrutinib and another... Read more

  Posted on 30 January 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Upcoming Free CLL Specific Educational Forums for Patients and Caregivers...

  We will be holding a total of a dozen free CLL specific ½ day Educational Forums for patients and caregivers across the country over the next few months. Read more

  Posted on 23 January 2019 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Reflections on Year of Both Great Progress and Great Sadness in the CLL World

  Happy New Year.This year we lost 3 members of our local Orange County CLL Society support group, and I lost other 3 other dear CLL and CAR-T friends that I met... Read more

  Posted on 29 December 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Closing One Door, Opening Another.

  December 10, 2018 was a monumental day for me. A huge transition.After 38 years of caring for generations of patients as their family doctor, I retired today... Read more

  Posted on 13 December 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Off to ASH 2018

  Swamped so this will be quick, but I haven't forgotten the blog.I am off to ASH 2018 where we are busy from 7 AM to 10 PM most days. Read more

  Posted on 29 November 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• ASH 2017: Dr. Thomas Kipps on the ROR1 Antibody, Cirmtuzumab

  

  At ASH 2017 held in December in Atlanta, Dr. Thomas Kipps from the Moore Cancer Center at UCSD in San Diego, CA talked about an exciting new target for very... Read more

  Posted on 19 August 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• ASH 2017: Dr. Adrian Wiestner on Resistance Mechanism in CLL (chronic Lymphocyti...

  

  I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Adrian Wiestner from the National Institutes of Health at ASH 2017 in Atlanta GA about his and other researchers work on... Read more

  Posted on 11 August 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• He Did It

  Hi,Stan Kurtz and his team, with help from so many of you, Did it. He swam the Catalina channel and raised his goal of over $25.000 for the CLL Society! Thanks... Read more

  Posted on 06 August 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• 10 Years Ago Today I Received My Transplant for My CLL (chronic Lymphocytic...

  July 1, 2008, Canada Day, was my first Day Zero- my first shot at a cure when after conditioning chemo-immunotherapy of FCR, I received my hematopoietic stem... Read more

  Posted on 02 July 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• I've Go to Admit It's Getting Better: More Good News About My CLL (chronic...

  Most of my blog posts can be followed here.The full story of my CAR-T therapy, the incredible rollercoaster and the amazing results can be found there I have... Read more

  Posted on 22 May 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Get My Car-t Cells Tomorrow for Mycll

  Patty and I have been enjoying Seattle. We’ve been here for 3 weeks prepping for the JCAR14 trial at SCCA/Hutch. Tomorrow is my big day- I get the CAR-T cells. Read more

  Posted on 22 March 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Goldilocks and the CAR-T Cells

  I had planned to write more often, but long hospital days, followed by long naps and long walks most days have precluded me doing much more than remembering my... Read more

  Posted on 18 March 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• 3/6/2018 Brian's Apheresis at SCCA for CAR-Ts to Treat CLL

  

  Patty reporting from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance March 6, 2018: Apheresis! Using a sophisticated centrifuge, Brian’s T-cells are being spun off and will be... Read more

  Posted on 06 March 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH

• Me and My CAR-T- Part 1 on Why I Have Moved to Seattle for 2 Months to Treat My...

  First things first.Thank you.I have been overwhelmed by the support and prayers I have received in the past few days by email, comments on the website,... Read more

  Posted on 01 March 2018 COMMUNITY, HEALTH