Our mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Our Light The Night Walk is LLS�s annual fundraising event and the nation�s night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Teams of friends, family and co-workers raise funds for LLS�s mission. Walkers carry illuminated lanterns�white for survivors, red for supporters and gold for those who have lost a loved one to blood cancer. Contact [email protected] for more info.

Website: www.lightthenight.org/calso

Services:

Visit http://www.lls.org for information about our robust patient support services and how to contact a LLS Information Specialist.

Accomplishments:

Recent Research Wins & Patient Testimonial

The FDA approved CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell immunotherapy, a treatment in which a patient's T-cells, the soldiers of the immune system, are genetically reprogrammed to find and kill cancer cells. LLS recognized the early promise of this approach. Over the past two decades, LLS provided $40 million in funding for more than 15 researchers and companies around the world to develop this revolutionary approach to treating cancer. LLS's long term investment has paid off.

Two types of CAR T-cell immunotherapy were approved by the FDA in 2017.

isagenlecleucel (KymriahTM) is FDA approved for the treatment of patients up to 25 years of age with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is refractory or in second or later relapse. It is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta™) is FDA approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma. Yescarta is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. It is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy.

Please read below to learn about Gretchen and her experience with CAR-T Cell Therapy:

"In November 2011, at the age of 64, I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma Stage 4, Grade 3A. I had 50% bone marrow involvement. I am one of the 20% of follicular lymphoma patients who progress rapidly after treatments. In 3 years I progressed after R-CHOP (6 cycles), bendamustine/rituximab (6 cycles), and Ibrutinib (12 months). Then, as a bridge to CAR-T, I took Idelalisib/rituximab as my fourth treatment. It worked great for 14 months then a PET scan showed I progressed again. I am now in an NIH CAR-T trial (NCT02659943) and was infused on March 2, 2016. As of December 15, 2017, I have been in complete remission for 21 months. Clinical trial studies show that CAR-T cells may result in long-lasting remissions for some people who have follicular lymphoma. I exercise daily and feel great. I am very thankful to have benefitted from my NIH CAR-T clinical trial."