CLLAN @ EHA 2023 – 28th Annual Meeting of the European Hematology Association, 8-11 June 2023

From 08-11 June 2023, the EHA Hybrid Congress took place for the 28th time. Frankfurt / Germany was chosen as the city to host this year´s congress. CLLAN was present with a total of 8 representatives (6 Steering Commitee members + its 2 staff members).

EHA is known as the premier hematology congress in Europe and offers a congress program covering every sub-specialty in hematology and the opportunity to network with experts from all over the globe. The educational and scientific program highlighted state-of-the art clinical practice, the latest findings, and innovations in hematology research. Here are some key takeaways in the area of CLL:

• CLL12 long-term results confirm that Active Monitoring (“Watch & Wait”) continues being the right strategy
• Clinical trials confirm efficacy of non-covalent BTK inhibitors in those patients that are resistant to covalent BTK inhibitors
• There are new drugs in the pipeline such as BTK degraders and bi-specific antibodies
• Clinical trial with CAR-T plus Ibrutinib confirms efficacy and long-term remissions
• Overall this year’s EHA was a continuation of developments and trials. It confirmed that existing treatments work and that new ones are on the horizon.

The congress also provided participants with the opportunity to attend satellite programs, Updates-in-Hematology and to visit the exhibition area where the patient advocacy community again had a joined booth at the (“Advocacy Hub”). Furthermore, EHA traditionally provides a good opportunity to meet our friends and patient advocacy colleagues as well as our esteemed industry partners. Thanks to all for taking the time to connect with us in Frankfurt despite everybody´s busy schedule!

Worth mentioning as well that CLLAN had submitted an abstract to EHA titled “Identifying inequities in support – Global Survey of Patient Organisations delivering support services for CLL Patients” that was published in the online Abstract Book (see under CLL CLINICAL), a supplement of HemaSphere (EHA’s official journal), the EHA Library and the Congress platform. Our friends from Acute Leukemia Advocates Network (ALAN) presented a poster (P1688) on the Leukaemia Patient and Carer Experience Survey, a project done jointly with CLLAN and CML Advocates Network (CMLAN).

Thanks to our vice-chair, Pierre Aumont, CLLAN was also again represented at the EHA Patient Advocacy Committee (PAC), a committee that – among other tasks – is in charge of co-organizing the EHA-Patient Joint Symposium which this year tackled the topics of drugs evaluation and reimbursement criteria. The EHA-PAC meeting offered a good opportunity to engage with the President, Past President and President Elect on what more can be done to include the patient voice across EHA. EHA-PAC members are involved in important committees such as the Scientific Committee and the European Affairs Committee. All of the above proves how much EHA values the patient voice and of how over the past years it has more and more turned into a truly patient-friendly association, a fact that is highly appreciated not only by CLLAN but by the wider patient advocacy community.

Last but not least, after years of virtual collaboration, the attending members of the CLLAN Steering Committee and two team members were finally able to meet in person. The much-anticipated CLLAN Team meeting provided an opportunity for attendees to engage face-to-face and delve into important discussions regarding the network’s future plans. This opportunity breathed new life into the network’s endeavours. With enthusiastic discussions on “hot topics” and strategic planning for the future, the CLLAN Team meeting reinforced the unwavering commitment of its members to improving the lives of CLL patients worldwide. Through their collective efforts, the network will continue to champion the cause of CLL advocacy, ensuring that no patient faces the challenges of CLL alone.

THE FULL CONFERENCE REPORT IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT. Please look out for our next newsletter, updates on www.clladvocates.net and information shared on our Social Media channels!