CARDIFF RESEARCH OPEN DAY FOCUS ON CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA (CLL)

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1 CARDIFF RESEARCH OPEN DAY FOCUS ON CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA (CLL) Saturday 13 October 2012 University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff

2 EXCITING TIMES FOR RESEARCH INTO CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research s vision is to beat blood cancer. Although chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is currently incurable, we believe that cures could be in sight for this disease, which is the most common form of leukaemia. The quantity and quality of research taking place into CLL at the moment is outstanding. Scientists here in the UK are making phenomenal progress in understanding the biology of this blood cancer, at a genetic and molecular level, that is informing new ways to treat the disease and ensure that each patient has a better quality of life. We are currently investing more than 6million in research and clinical trials into CLL, including an investment of 0.75million here in Cardiff. As you will see today, though our research into CLL spans from centres as far afield as Liverpool and Southampton, London and Newcastle, our researchers collaborate on key areas to ensure that our research delivers successful results. Key aspects of CLL that we are currently tackling include: identifying new and important genes and proteins against which to develop safer, more effective and targeted treatments; understanding why the disease progresses at different rates in each patient; being able to better predict when patients need specific treatments and testing new treatments in clinical trials to improve patients quality of life. In research terms, CLL is definitely one to watch.

3 Programme 1pm 2pm Registration and lunch Henry Wellcome Building Exciting times for research into CLL Henry Wellcome Building Hear from our experts about the latest research, trials and treatments for patients with CLL How we re beating CLL Professor Chris Bunce Research Director, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research What are the problems faced by CLL patients Dr Chris Fegan, Clinical Director for Haematology, Cardiff and Vale Trust The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Trials Acceleration Programme Dr Guy Pratt, Consultant Haematologist, University of Birmingham 3pm Breakout sessions Cancer and Genetics Building Come into the laboratories to see our research in action and meet our researchers and doctors who are developing and testing new treatments. Refreshments will be available throughout these sessions. 4.30pm Close

4 LABORATORY DEMONSTRATIONS Screening for proteins and genes Drs Andy Steele and Jon Strefford, University of Southampton In Southampton our researchers are skilled in a range of cutting-edge techniques that are helping to tailor treatments to the needs of patients with CLL. Dr Andy Steele is studying the chemical signals that occur inside and outside CLL cells that enable them to evade chemotherapy. Andy s research is identifying the proteins responsible for these signals that cause treatment resistance in many patients, in order to design new, more targeted drugs. Dr Jon Strefford s research uses DNA microchip and sequencing technology to look at many millions of genes simultaneously and identify those which are most significant to patients with CLL. Targeted treatments and cell banks Dr Joe Slupsky s group, University of Liverpool In Liverpool our researchers are experts in understanding how the proteins found inside CLL cells dictate the various characteristics of this blood cancer. Dr Joe Slupsky s research uses an analytical technique called mass spectrometry to look at the levels of specific proteins inside CLL cells. These CLL cells are taken from the national Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research CLL cell bank that is based in Liverpool. This vital resource allows scientists to investigate the biology of these blood cancer cells and link any findings back to clinical outcomes. By identifying which proteins have the most detrimental effect on patients, we can develop more targeted treatments.

5 Target discovery Dr Chris Pepper s group, Cardiff University CLL is a very varied blood cancer and there are a range of symptoms experienced by patients, as well as variation in the way each patient responds to treatment. Much of the research led by Dr Chris Pepper and his colleagues in Cardiff is focused on finding new indicators, or markers that will help us to identify what symptoms patients are likely to experience and predict how they will respond to treatment. Chris team aims to identify genes and proteins that are responsible for key aspects of the disease that can be used as targets to improve diagnosis as well as to personalise treatments. The identification of these markers is alluding to why some patients develop resistance to particular drugs and is also enabling us to develop strategies to tackle this. Chromosomes and CLL Dr Duncan Baird s group, Cardiff University CLL progresses at different and unpredictable rates in each patient. Dr Duncan Baird s research is investigating how changes in the genetic code of CLL cells can cause the disease to progress more rapidly in some patients. Duncan s research team was the first to identify the cause of this genetic instability, which has been linked to molecules called telomeres. Telomeres are caps found at the end of chromosomes, the structures that hold our genes and DNA and help to protect the genetic integrity of the cell. Understanding how degradation of telomeres cause genes to mutate and lead to more aggressive forms of CLL will help us to provide a clearer prognosis and tailor treatments for patients.

6 NON-LABORATORY DEMONSTRATIONS Trials and new treatments Drs Guy Pratt and Chris Fegan Delivering new life-saving treatments depends on clinical trials. However, getting early phase trials underway is difficult and the majority of blood cancer patients do not have access to trials. In 2011 Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research launched the Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) that links 13 leading UK treatment centres, including Cardiff, to support a greater number of blood cancer trials and deliver them as quickly and broadly as possible. We have since invested in six new clinical trials within the TAP network, three of which are specifically for CLL patients. We also have a number of other CLL trials open and recruiting patients. Visit our exhibition to learn about the latest trials and treatments available to patients with CLL. Helping patients The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Patient Information team Patients are at the heart of all that we do. Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research provide a range of free booklets to help patients and their families cope with a blood cancer diagnosis. Patients can trust our information to explain the different treatment options and to support them to make the treatment decisions that are right for them. Our information is available to download online at beatingbloodcancers. org.uk/patientinformation or can be ordered in print from our patient information team at patientinfo@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk or on Visit our patient information stand today to see the range of information we have available for patients with CLL.

7 Support our research Michaela James, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Our life-saving research would not be possible without the many thousands of supporters raising money to beat blood cancer. Across Wales and the whole of the UK our fundraisers walk, run, cycle, swim, collect and socialise to raise the vital funds needed to beat blood cancer. Visit us online at beatingbloodcancers.org.uk to be inspired by our fundraisers around the country If you d like to find out more about how you can support us, contact Michaela at mjames@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk or call Investing in research Thank you to all our researchers for their continued determination to beat blood cancer. Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research are committed to investing not only in excellent research, but also talented scientists to initiate these research breakthroughs. As part of our broader research strategy we fund Career Development Awards that give gifted young scientists the opportunity to further their knowledge and experience in blood cancer research. These training awards range from studentships, for young researchers, clinical fellowships that link those with direct experience of treating blood cancer patients to research into the latest treatments to our Bennett Fellowships that enable researchers to set up their own research groups. In doing so we are nurturing the next generation of scientists and doctors, united in our passion to beat blood cancer.

8 WE WON T STOP UNTIL WE VE BEATEN BLOOD CANCER beatingbloodcancers.org.uk