Highlights from our March 2025 'Understanding HCL' Webinar
On March 5, 2025, the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (HCLF) held an informative webinar featuring Dr. Kerry Rogers, a hematologist and researcher from The Ohio State University. Dr. Rogers gave a clear explanation of Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) and made complicated medical ideas easy to understand.
Here are takeaways from Dr. Rogers’ presentation:
What Is Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)?
HCL is a rare blood cancer that affects B lymphocytes, which are a type of immune system cell.
HCL was first described in the 1950s by Dr. Bertha Bouroncle at The Ohio State University.
It affects about 1,100 people in the U.S. each year, mostly men and often those of white/Western European descent.
The average age for diagnosis is 55, but people can be diagnosed younger or older.
It’s typically not life-threatening, if treated; many patients can live for many years with this disease.
Diagnosing HCL
To diagnose HCL, doctors usually do the following:
Perform a bone marrow biopsy (the best way to confirm HCL).
Look for the "hair-like" projections in the cell samples.
Check for specific markers and mutations, especially the BRAF mutation, which is present in most classic HCL cases. There is also a less common version of HCL that has its own genetic markers and responds differently to treatments.
When Is Treatment Needed?
Not all patients need treatment right away, especially if they have no symptoms. Starting treatment too early can increase the risk of infections due to weakened immune systems.
Treatment is usually necessary if:
Blood counts are low (neutrophils <1.0, hemoglobin <10, or platelets <100).
The spleen is larger and causing pain.
The patient feels very tired, has bone problems, or gets infections often.
Treatment Options
Dr. Rogers talked about the importance of personalized care and different treatment choices based on each patient’s needs.
Purine Analogues:
Cladribine (the most common) and Pentostatin have high success rates (about 80% complete remission):
Cladribine: A short treatment over one week, but a longer recovery time.
Pentostatin: Given over several months and is gentler on the bone marrow.
Combination Therapy:
Using Cladribine and Rituximab together shows longer-lasting remissions.
Targeted Therapies:
BRAF Inhibitors (like Vemurafenib and Dabrafenib) can work quickly but may not last as long; they are better when combined with antibodies like Rituximab or Obinutuzumab.
BTK Inhibitors (like Ibrutinib) are taken daily and are helpful for patients whose HCL comes back or doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Emerging Therapies:
New treatments like Venetoclax, CAR-T cell therapy, and bispecific antibodies are promising for patients who don’t respond to regular treatments.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for More Research:
Finding better treatments that don’t involve chemotherapy.
Learning more about the variant form of HCL.
Exploring the role of antibody-based therapies.
Improving patient support and survivorship strategies.
Important Health Tips for HCL Patients
Regular cancer screenings, especially for skin cancer, are very important because patients have a higher risk.
Vaccinations are strongly encouraged.
Keeping up with health maintenance (like checking cholesterol, staying active, and avoiding infections) is key to living well.
Final Thoughts
This webinar was both an educational experience and a message of hope. Future treatments that provide long-term remission and new therapies are coming soon. Stay updated with more educational events from the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation, and remember to speak with your healthcare provider about your care plan.
Do you want to revisit Dr. Rogers’ webinar presentation? Click here for webinar materials. >>