The following items discuss the origins and inspirations behind an individual’s work.
Binet Interview Part 1: Research Collaboration and iwCLL
Dr. Jacques-Louis Binet recounts the origins of the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL), from the first idea through the challenges of organizing the first few meetings. He names many of the early members of iwCLL and describes their early efforts to collaborate on clinical research. He also discusses the origins of the French Cooperative Group on CLL.
Binet Interview Part 2: History of French Hematological Treatment
Dr. Jacques-Louis Binet continues his recollections on the formation of the French Cooperative Group on CLL and discusses the history of the treatment of CLL and other hematological diseases in France. Lastly, he discusses his relationship with his mentor, Jean Bernard, and Bernard’s contributions to leukemia treatment in France.
Hallek Interview Part 1: European Collaboration on Clinical Research
Dr. Michael Hallek recounts his early career in medicine and how his relationships with others led him to CLL research and inspired him to found the German CLL Study Group (DCLLSG), and later co-found the European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC). The video concludes with a discussion of some of ERIC’s work on establishing standards and collaborating on clinical research.
Highlights from an interview with Dr. Terence Hamblin discussing the development of his research, including idiotypes, cold agglutinin disease, and immunoglobulin mutational status.
Montserrat Interview Part 1: Introduction
Dr. Emili Montserrat begins to discuss the history of CLL scholarship in Spain, beginning with the development of hematology as a specialization distinct from internal medicine at the University of Barcelona during the 1970s, and Dr. Ciril Rozman’s influence on his decision to pursue hematology. He describes how he became interested in CLL, which led to his participation in the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL), beginning with the first meeting in 1979.
Montserrat Interview Part 2: History of Spanish CLL Research
Dr. Emili Montserrat discusses the fifth meeting of the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL) and continues his recollection of the early years of developing the Department of Hematology at the University of Barcelona and his research collaboration with Dr. Estella Matutes and Dr. Junia Melo.
Montserrat Interview Part 3: Evolution of CLL Research
Dr. Emili Montserrat concludes his recollections on the history of CLL research in Spain, and discusses how CLL research and collaboration has evolved over the course of his career, from understanding of the disease to scientific techniques and treatment to funding for research.
Rai Interview Part 1: Introduction
An introduction to Dr. Kanti Rai’s career and experience, this video covers his relationships with early mentors and research experience, focusing on his work on myeloproliferative diseases and participation in the Polycythemia Vera Study Group and Cancer and Leukemia Group B.
Rai Interview Part 2: Clinical Trials
In this video, Dr. Kanti Rai discusses the history of CLL clinical treatment, from treatment with chlorambucil and prednisone through the development of treatment with FCR. His discussion includes his participation in various clinical trials, such as the CALGB study of the effectiveness of fludarabine vs. chlorambucil.
Rai Interview Part 4: History of iwCLL
Dr. Rai recounts how Dr. Jacques-Louis Binet and he founded the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL) and how the organization grew, from the first meeting at Pitié Salpêtrière in Paris which Dr. Binet had organized to the 2009 meeting in Barcelona. He mentions many founding members and describes the evolution of leadership within the organization as new researchers and CLL study groups became involved.
Rai Interview Part 5: ASH Leadership
Dr. Kanti Rai recounts his positive experience in the American Society of Hematology (ASH), from his introduction to ASH membership, to his tenure on the executive committee, to his election as vice president of ASH and subsequent tenure as vice president, president-elect, and president.
Rai Interview Part 6: Youth and Early Career
Dr. Kanti Rai talks about his childhood and early career. He begins by discussing his early career in pediatric medicine and how Dr. Arthur Sawitsky guided him to a fellowship in hematology and research with Dr. Eugene Cronkite at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Then, he recounts how his uncle, who was a physician in India, served as his role model and inspired him to pursue medicine.
Rai Interview Part 7: Research Partnership with Chiorazzi
Dr. Kanti Rai discusses how he met Dr. Nicholas Chiorazzi and they developed their research partnership studying IGHV mutational status and clinical staging. He notes that their model of partnership, which has involved collaboration between laboratory research and clinical practice, has been fruitful for both research and practice, and discusses how this same model developed in the Chronic Lymphocyctic Leukemia Research Consortium (CRC).