Dr. Ferrajoli on Individualized Treatment of CLL

Alessandra Ferrajoli, MD, associate professor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses individualizing the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Ferrajoli says that her dream is to use prognostic factors and new molecular markers to identify the best treatment for an individual patient. Currently, a physician will treat a patient with what they feel is the best option. Following a clinical trial, researchers will analyze data to determine what treatments perform best. This strategy helps in the management of all CLL patients as a whole, but not in the management of each individul patient that is treated.

Ideally, a physician could run a panel of tests, including classic prognostic factors and novel findings (such as the expression of miR-155), and determine the best course of action upfront.