Inaugural Mantle Cell Lymphoma Symposium

John Theurer Cancer Center to Host Inaugural Mantle Cell Lymphoma Symposium

Leading International MCL Experts Offer Insights and Updates into this Rare Disease for Patients and Healthcare Professionals

HACKENSACK, N.J. (November 2, 2011) – The Lymphoma Division of the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center with the participation from the Facebook groups "Hope for Lymphoma" and " Our MCL Family ,” will host its first-ever Mantle Cell Lymphoma Symposium on Saturday, November 12 from 8:30am – 3:45pm. The event is open to both healthcare professionals and also to Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) patients and their caregivers coping with this challenging diagnosis.

The complimentary Continuing Medical Education (CME) program will feature an international faculty of leading MCL experts who will review the latest advances in research, state-of-the-art- treatment options (for new and relapsed disease) and new and novel therapies for MCL.

MCL is a B-cell blood cancer called so because tumors are composed of cells that come from the “mantle” zone of the lymph node. It is one of the rarest and most challenging to treat of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs), comprising about 6% of NHL cases and currently affects about 15,000 patients in the U.S.

“MCL research has advanced the treatment options available and doubled the life expectancy for patients with this disease, but there is still much more work to be done,” said Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., Chairman and Director and Chief of Lymphoma, John Theurer Cancer Center. “We can continue to develop better treatment options by collaborating with our patients. This will help them better understand and manage their disease to help move our clinical research forward.”

A leading MCL researcher, member of the prestigious Mantle Cell Consortium and a member of the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s esteemed Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Goy was the Principal Investigator on the pivotal PINNACLE study, which led to the approval of the drug VELCADE®, a treatment for relapsed MCL.

“Our group is honored to collaborate with Dr. Goy and the John Theurer Cancer Center to help provide patients, oncologists and other healthcare professionals the kind of information usually only gleaned in big medical conferences,” said Liz Hart McMillan, a five-year lymphoma survivor and co-founder, with MCL survivors David Miller and Sherry Clark, of the “Our MCL Family” Facebook group which provides education and support to MCL survivors and caregivers.

The Mantle Cell Lymphoma Symposium will be streamed live from the MCL and Hope for Lymphoma Facebook groups and JTCancerCenter.org. Survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals from around the world will have the opportunity to watch the event and ask questions in real time using the Facebook group chat feature.

“We’re excited to be the first Facebook group to use Livestreaming for patient education and to build awareness of clinical trials of novel therapies, which often offer the very best treatment options for this and other rare cancers,” said Ms. McMillan.

Topics to be discussed at the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Symposium include the latest treatment options for new and relapsed MCL, novel and emerging therapies in managing MCL, the role of stem cell transplantation, the emerging role of maintenance therapies and optimizing MCL survivorship through scientifically backed nutrition, exercise and integrative therapies. The event includes complimentary breakfast and lunch.

The international panel of experts will update patients and healthcare professionals on the most recent advances in treatment and research. Speakers and their topics include:

• Dr. Andre Goy, Chairman and Director and Chief of the Lymphoma, John Theurer Cancer Center: Toward Cure and Less Toxic Treatment: Emerging and Novel Therapies for MCL
• Dr. Elias Campo, Chief of Hematopathology and Clinical Director, University of Barcelona: Understanding the Biology and Prognostic Markers of MCL
• Dr. Jorge Romageura, Deputy Chairman, Lymphoma/Myeloma Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center: Treatment of MCL in the Frontline Setting, Without Stem Cell Transplant
• Dr. Christian Geisler, Chairman of the Nordic Lymphoma Group, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen: Impact of High Dose Frontline Therapy with Autologous Stem Cell Transplant on Outcome: the Nordic Group’s Experience
• Dr. Scott Rowley, Chief, Blood and Marrow Stem Cell & Transplantation Program, John Theurer Cancer Center: Options for Relapsed or Refractory MCL
• Mr. David Miller, Aspen, Colorado, 9-year MCL survivor: Perspectives from an Expert Patient and Long-Term Survivor

“The John Theurer Cancer Center is proud to be among the leading lymphoma programs in the world, ” said Andrew L. Pecora, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.P.E., Chief Innovations Officer, Professor and Vice President of Cancer Services at John Theurer Cancer Center. “We are committed to empowering our patients with information and to promoting research through the education of physicians and patients.”

Hackensack University Medical Center is accredited by the Medical Society of New Jersey to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. This particular educational activity has been designated for 5.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), based on the extent of each physicians’ participation in the activity.

The event will be held at the John Theurer Cancer Center, 92 Second Street. The event is complimentary, however registration is required. To register, please visit jtcancercenter.org/MCL or contact Ewelina Jakubowska at [email protected]. For more information about Our MCL Family, which is the largest MCL group on Facebook, or to join the group visit: [email protected].

About John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is among the nation’s top 50 U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals for cancer – the only cancer in New Jersey with this designation. It is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive cancer center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancer.

The 14 specialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care have developed a close-knit team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to the John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. The John Theurer Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research innovations, medical expertise, and a full range of after care services under one roof. For more information please go to jtcancercenter.org.

About Our MCL Family Facebook Group

Co-founded in 2011 by five-year Lymphoma Survivor Liz Hart McMillan and MCL survivors David Miller and Sherry Clark, “Our Mantle Cell Family” is one of six private groups affiliated with Ms. McMillan’s Hope For Lymphoma global Facebook community, established in 2009. Created to fill the gap between the oncologist’s office and everyday life, the groups, now numbering over 11,000 members, provide on a daily basis cutting-edge research in plain English, featured survivors with their stories of hope, the latest in aggregated health and fitness news, tips on preventing and managing side effects of treatment, helpful articles on dealing well with the emotional aspects of the cancer journey, scientifically confirmed information on optimizing survival and –one of the most popular features of all --recipes for delicious and nutritious foods to nourish both body and spirit through it all. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/ourmclfamily or call (631) 375-1350.

The generous sponsorship of Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company; Clegene Corporation; and Pharmacyclics, Inc. have helped make this event possible.

Media Contact:

Amy Leahing

305.458.0599

[email protected]

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