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Timothy HughesThe iCMLf CURE CONSORTIUM

Concerted global effort working towards a cure for CML

"There are currently estimated to be over 800,000 CML patients globally. CML is predicted to become the most prevalent leukaemia by 2040 when there are projected to be over 3 million patients worldwide. A concerted global effort working towards a cure is imperative.
The iCMLf is uniquely positioned to drive this effort.” 
(Tim Hughes, iCMLf Chairman)

With the increasing prevalence of CML a concerted global effort working towards a cure is imperative. As a global organisation led by clinicians and researchers at the forefront of this disease, the iCMLf is uniquely positioned to do this. The iCMLf is increasingly turning to global priorities through precision medicine approaches aiming to improve outcomes for patients with CML.

The iCMLf will drive this effort by bringing interested parties together on specific projects under the banner of 'cure'. The Foundation has formed a CURE CONSORTIUM to focus our efforts working towards a cure for CML. Specifically, we plan to build multicentre global research collaborations to accelerate the development of more effective and safer treatment strategies with the view that these will lead to a cure.

The potential impact of this program is substantial. There are currently estimated to be over 800,000 CML patients globally. CML is predicted to become the most prevalent leukemia by 2040 when there are projected to be over 3 million patients worldwide.

A cure for CML may mean different things to different people, but in essence we want to get every patient with CML into a long-term remission that doesn't require ongoing therapy. We recognise that this will not be achievable in 100% of patients, but we aim to get as close as possible over the next decade. To achieve this, we need the research community to work together effectively. We also need to be innovative and ambitious to make this a reality.

In a first step the iCMLf has launched two Global Alliances:

1. The Genomics Alliance to facilitate data assimilation and sample exchanges and to develop a genome-based risk calculator for newly diagnosed CML patients

2. The Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) Alliance to facilitate global research to maximise achievement of TFR while minimising failed TFR attempts and other negative outcomes