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Welcome to LeukemiaLinks,
your monthly source of leukemia news, research
updates, clinical trials and events sponsored
by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
(LLS). For even more information, regularly
visit our Patient
Services and Disease
Information Web
sections. | |
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Latest Leukemia
News
Taking
Aim at Relapse of Leukemia in Kids
Scientists have identified molecules
that enable tumor cells to invade the nervous
system of patients with a blood-borne childhood
cancer. Study leader Ioannis Aifantis is funded
by LLS as a Scholar in our Career Development
research grant program.
::READ MORE
NEWS:: | |
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LLS Features
::READ
MORE::
.....................................................................................................................................
Research
Roundup ::READ
MORE::
.....................................................................................................................................
IRC Question of
the Month
:: READ
MORE::
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Inspirational
Stories
 Learn
how individuals touched by blood cancer
cope. The LLS LifeMosaic
Web feature offers hundreds of
inspiring stories by patients and families. Read
them or submit
your own. This month, read about Robert
K.
Brown. |
Here to
Help
For even more information,
regularly visit the LLS Web site, www.LLS.org, where many of our education programs
are archived free of charge for convenient
access 24/7.
If you haven't found what
you're looking for in LeukemiaLinks ,
please call our Information Resource Center
(IRC) to speak with trained information
specialists. IRC staff are available Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, toll free
at (800) 955-4572; email infocenter@lls.org; or click the "Live Patient Help" button
on the www.LLS.org homepage.
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Clinical
Trials
We invite you to use
our LLS-supported TrialCheck® Web site
, a clinical trial search service that
offers patients and caregivers immediate access
to listings of all leukemia clinical
trials. Answer just a few simple questions and a
list of available clinical trials related to
your cancer will appear in an easy to read list
of search results.
You may also
want to visit the National Cancer Institute's Cancer
Trials Support Unit, providing resources and
information on Phase III cancer treatment trials
supported by the National Cancer
Institute. :: SELECTED TRIALS::
Newsfeeds &
Podcasts
Now
you can get RSS Feeds and Podcasts from LLS.
:: CLICK HERE TO SIGN
UP::
Free
eNewsletters
Free LLS
eNewsletters deliver the latest information on
research and treatment options, patient services
programs and fundraising events.
::CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
::
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My
Personal CLL Journey
LLS is proud to
offer My Personal CLL Journey, an
interactive program following the story and
experience of Mike, a CLL survivor. Kanti Rai,
MD, of the Long Island Jewish Hospital and nurse
practitioner Nancy Driscoll provide expert
insights along the way. Learn More.
My
Personal CML Journey
LLS is proud to
offer My Personal CML Journey, an
interactive, online video education program. The
feature follows the stories and experiences of
two chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
survivors. Learn more.
My Clinical
Trials Journey
Participate in this
personalized and interactive program that
follows the stories and experiences of three
cancer survivors who have participated in
clinical trials.
Co-Pay
Assistance Program Broadens Funding
Qualified patients with chronic myelogenous
leukemia can now receive up to $5,000 in
assistance from LLS' Co-Pay Assistance
Program. The aid helps offset prescription
drug co-pays and other insurance-related
expenses according to disease diagnosis.
LLS
Advocacy
LLS's advocacy team represents
the needs of cancer patients and their
families in Washington, DC and state
capitals throughout the United States. We need
your help. Join our
Advocates Network and make your
voice
heard.
ACT NOW: Urge
Your Senators to Support Increased Cancer
Research Funding
Patient Services
Survey
Please give us
your feedback by completing LLS Disease
& Treatment Publications - Survey for
Patients, Family and Friends.
LLS Blog
The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is committed to
curing blood cancers and helping patients and
their families. Learn
the many ways you can help advance
LLS's mission.
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A phase I study of tipifarnib combined with
conventional induction and consolidation therapy
for previously untreated patients with acute
myeloid leukemia aged 60 years and over.
::READ
MORE::
A phase II study of continuous infusion
homoharringtonine and cytarabine in newly
diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid
leukemia: CALGB study 19804. ::READ
MORE::
Treatment of fludarabine-refractory chronic
lymphocytic leukemia. ::READ
MORE::
N9986: a phase II trial of thalidomide in
patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic
leukemia. ::READ
MORE::
Executive function, coping, and behavior in
survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic
leukemia. ::READ
MORE::
> Back to the
top
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 Selected Trials
Laboratory-Treated Peripheral
Blood Lymphocytes With or Without Chemotherapy
in Treating Patients with Progressive B-Cell
Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
::READ
MORE::
Phase III: Combination Chemotherapy in
Treating Young Patients with Newly Diagnosed
T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ::READ
MORE::
Open Label Study of Subcutaneous
Homoharringtonine in Patients with Advanced
CML ::READ
MORE::
A Phase III Study of Clofarabine and
Cytarabine for Older Patients With Relapsed or
Refractory Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
::READ
MORE::
>
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IRC Question of
the Month
| 
Q: I
have gotten a side effect from chemotherapy
called peripheral neuropathy, are there any
treatments for this condition, as it affects my
daily life?
A:
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the term
for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous
system, which transmits information from the
brain and spinal cord to other parts of the
body. PN is estimated to affect 10 to 20 percent
of people with cancer and can be caused by
certain chemotherapeutic agents, such as
vincristine (Oncovin®), bortezomib (Velcade®),
thalidomide (Thalomid®), lenalidomide
(Revlimid®), cytarabine (Cytosar-U®), interferon
(multiple brand names) or methotrexate (multiple
brand names). Radiation therapy may cause nerve
injury, although it may take several years for
symptoms to appear. Shingles, a rash that may
develop in people with weakened immune systems,
may also result in neuropathy. PN may also be a
symptom of certain diseases, such as myeloma.
Some causes of PN are not associated with
cancer. PN may be inherited or it can be a
symptom of certain diseases or conditions. It is
important to let your doctor know if you already
have symptoms of neuropathy before starting
treatment, or if you have any of the conditions
that are associated with PN, including diabetes,
nerve compression caused by vertebral fractures
or vitamin deficiencies, particularly folate or
vitamin B12, autoimmune diseases,
such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis,
hypothyroidism or kidney disease.
While a person is undergoing cancer
treatment, his or her doctor may give prescribe
certain medications and/or vitamins to help
prevent neuropathy. Be sure to talk with your
doctor before starting any over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, or supplements on your
own. Patients should seek medical advice as soon
as possible if they experience numbness,
tingling, burning, coldness or weakness in the
arms or legs. These may be symptoms of PN.
With medical advice, patients who develop PN
as a result of chemotherapy may be helped by
taking a reduced dosage of the prescribed drugs
or stopping the drugs completely.
Treatment-caused PN may gradually decrease after
treatment is completed. In some cases, the
symptoms may persist. Other therapies for
PN depend on its cause and related symptoms.
Many people recover fully from the disorder over
time, whether it is in a few months or a few
years. Sometimes, the condition may be more
difficult to cure and may require long-term
management. Your doctor will work to diagnose
and eliminate the cause of your neuropathy and
manage symptoms.
These safety tips from the American
Society of Clinical Oncology at Cancer.Net
may help people with PN who have sensory or
motor difficulties to avoid injury at home:
- Keep all rooms, hallways, and stairways well
lit.
- Install handrails on both sides of
stairways.
- Remove small area rugs and any other clutter
that you could trip over or slip on.
- Install grab bars in the shower or handgrips
in the tub, and lay down skid-free mats.
- Use a thermometer to check that any water
you bathe in or use is below 110 degrees
Fahrenheit, or set your water heater
accordingly.
- Clean up any spilled water or liquids
immediately.
- Use non-breakable dishes.
- Use potholders while cooking and rubber
gloves when washing dishes.
- If you drive, make sure you can fully feel
the gas and brake pedals, and the steering
wheel, and that you can quickly move your foot
from the gas to the brake.
- If prescribed, use a cane or walker when
moving from one room to the other.
Please call our
Information Resource Center (IRC) to speak with
a trained information specialist. IRC staff are
available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. ET, toll free at (800) 955-4572. Contact
us online or click the "Live
Patient Help" button on the www.LLS.org
homepage.
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educational grant
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Contact Us: The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck
Ave., White Plains, NY 10605, (800)
955-4572
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