CLL Global Research Foundation

06/05/2026

Cancer Survivorship Week Spotlight from ASCO

As more people than ever are living beyond a cancer diagnosis, improving quality of life after treatment has become increasingly important.

New research presented at ASCO 2026 found that a structured program of gentle yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness helped cancer survivors experience less anxiety, fatigue, mood disturbance, and insomnia—all without additional medication.

The study included more than 400 cancer survivors from across the United States and demonstrated that regular yoga practice can be a safe, effective way to address some of the most common and challenging side effects of cancer and its treatment.

With more than 22 million cancer survivors expected in the United States by 2035, findings like these highlight the importance of supporting not only survivorship, but thriving after cancer.

For cancer survivors experiencing overall mood disturbance, anxiety, fatigue, or insomnia, regular gentle hatha and restorative yoga can help improve these side effects without the need for medication...

06/04/2026

ASCO 2026 Update:

Researchers presented the design of a new phase 3 clinical trial, ROCKET-CLL, which will compare two next-generation BTK inhibitors—rocbrutinib (LP-168) and pirtobrutinib—in patients whose CLL has returned after prior BTK inhibitor treatment.

While current BTK inhibitors have transformed CLL care, many patients eventually develop treatment resistance. Rocbrutinib was designed to target some of the genetic changes that may drive that resistance.

The study will enroll more than 300 patients worldwide and evaluate effectiveness, safety, and quality of life. Although results are not yet available, trials like ROCKET-CLL are essential for developing new treatment options and helping patients achieve longer-lasting remissions.

We look forward to following this important research as the trial progresses.

ASCO Breakthrough delivers novel research from the Asia-Pacific region PLUS key findings from recent major meetings, including . Register today.

06/03/2026

ASCO 2026 Update: Pirtobrutinib Continues to Build Momentum in CLL

Data presented at ASCO 2026 reinforced the potential of pirtobrutinib, a next-generation BTK inhibitor, across multiple CLL treatment settings.

In a pooled analysis of two phase 3 clinical trials involving patients with previously untreated CLL, pirtobrutinib demonstrated impressive results including:

* 93% overall response rate
* More than 93% of patients remained progression-free at 24 months
* 97.5% overall survival at 24 months

Researchers also reported a favorable safety profile, with relatively low rates of atrial fibrillation (2.8%) and hypertension (10.7%), side effects that can be concerns with some BTK inhibitors.

These findings add to the growing body of evidence supporting pirtobrutinib as an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for people living with CLL and highlight the continued progress being made toward better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients.

ASCO Breakthrough delivers novel research from the Asia-Pacific region PLUS key findings from recent major meetings, including . Register today.

06/02/2026

During Cancer Survivorship Week, we celebrate the remarkable progress that is helping people with CLL live longer, healthier lives than ever before.

Research presented at this year's ASCO Annual Meeting highlighted an exciting trend in CLL care: the field is moving toward more effective, better-tolerated, and increasingly time-limited treatments, while simultaneously developing new therapies to address resistance when it occurs.

This Cancer Survivorship Week, we honor the strength of survivors, the dedication of caregivers, and the researchers and clinicians working every day to advance the fight against CLL.

05/29/2026

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting is one of the world’s leading cancer research conferences, where physicians and researchers share the latest advances in cancer care and treatment. This year, we are excited to see CLL Global President and CEO Dr. William G. Wierda presenting data on the targeted therapy pirtobrutinib in patients with previously untreated CLL/SLL.

In two international phase 3 clinical trials, pirtobrutinib demonstrated strong and durable responses in patients receiving treatment for the first time:

* 93% overall response rate
* More than 93% of patients remained progression-free at 24 months
* More than 97% overall survival at 24 months

Researchers also reported encouraging safety findings, including low rates of atrial fibrillation and hypertension, side effects that can be concerns with some BTK inhibitors.

These results continue to highlight the progress being made toward more effective and well-tolerated treatment options for people living with CLL.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

From all of us at CLL Global Research Foundation, we wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

CLL Global will be accepting Letters of Intent for our next research grant cycle from June 1–21, 2026.

Our Scientific Advisory Board has identified several key areas of focus aimed at improving outcomes and accelerating progress for CLL patients, including:

🔬 Understanding why the immune system stops working properly in CLL — and how to restore it
🔬 Improving immune-based treatments and overcoming treatment resistance
🔬 Learning how CLL begins and progresses in order to support earlier detection and prevention
🔬 Developing new therapies and treatment combinations for patients whose disease no longer responds to current treatments
🔬 Advancing research in Richter transformation and other high-risk forms of CLL

We look forward to reviewing the next big ideas in CLL research and continuing to support innovative work that brings us closer to better treatments — and ultimately, a cure.

05/18/2026

Did you miss our inaugural CLL Global Patient-Focused Research Symposium on November 14, 2025? Don’t worry — plans are already underway for our next symposium, coming in summer 2026, with a special focus on Richter transformation.

Want a preview of what’s to come? Watch this video from last November featuring Dr. Alessandra Ferrajoli from UT MD Anderson as she discusses the importance of health maintenance and preventive care for CLL patients — an especially important topic as patients are living longer than ever before.

This presentation is part of CLL Global Research Foundation’s first-ever Patient-Focused research symposium featuring CLL Global–funded researchers sharing insights...

05/15/2026

New results from the CLL-321 trial are providing encouraging news for people living with CLL whose disease has previously been treated with a BTK inhibitor.

In the study, patients receiving pirtobrutinib stayed in remission longer compared with standard treatment options.

Key highlights:
• Patients taking pirtobrutinib had a median progression-free survival of about 14 months, compared with 8.7 months for standard therapies
• Time before needing another treatment was significantly longer — about 24 months vs. 10.9 months
• Benefits were seen even in patients with high-risk disease features such as TP53 abnormalities and del(17p)
• More than half of patients had already received prior venetoclax, highlighting the effectiveness of pirtobrutinib in heavily pretreated patients

The treatment was also generally well tolerated, with low rates of heart-related side effects such as atrial fibrillation and hypertension.

These results continue to highlight the progress being made toward more effective treatment options for patients with relapsed or difficult-to-treat CLL.

Phase 3 results: pirtobrutinib boosts PFS, delays next treatment after prior BTK therapy, and shows low cardiac toxicity.

05/12/2026

Please join us in congratulating Dr. William G. Wierda, CLL Global President and CEO, on his induction into the OncLive Giants of Cancer Care® Class of 2026!

This prestigious honor recognizes leaders whose research and clinical expertise are transforming cancer care and improving outcomes for patients. Selected by a committee of more than 115 leading oncologists and prior honorees, this recognition reflects Dr. Wierda’s lasting impact on advancing CLL research and treatment.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement and his continued leadership in the fight against CLL.

https://www.onclive.com/view/giants-of-cancer-care-announces-the-14th-annual-class-of-inductees