Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. CLL is the second most common type of leukemia in adults and it is called chronic because it usually progresses more slowly than other types of leukemia. In those who suffer from CLL, a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes are affected and unable to fight infection. These lymphocytes also increase in number in the blood and bone marrow, resulting in less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This also causes anemia and easy bleeding.
In the video above, Dr. Kanti Rai from North Shore-LIJ Health System and Dr. Nicholas Chiorazzi from the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research collaborate to uncover new ways to understand and treat chronic lymphocyctic leukemia.
Feinstein Institute researchers are studying the processes that are malfunctioning in CLL and have made significant discoveries in this area. Based on their findings, they are developing novel diagnostic and treatment approaches for CLL. In addition, they have conducted nearly a dozen clinical trials through the CLL clinical program. Principal investigators who study chronic lymphocytic leukemia include Steven Allen; Nicholas Chiorazzi; Charles Chiyuan Chu; Richard Alan Furie; Jonathan E. Kolitz; Jeffrey M. Lipton; Johnson M. Liu; Kanti R. Rai; Thomas L. Rothstein; Barbara Sherry and Sarah R. Vaiselbuh.