October 20-23, 2013, Boston, MA: The Bing Center for Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia was proud to host a delegation of distinguished visiting Dutch hematologists, pathologists, and research principle professors; Drs M.J Kersten MD PhD and Dr S. Pals MD PhD (Academic Medical Center), Dr J. Vos MD (St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein), and Drs M.C. Minnema MD PhD and R. Groen PhD (University Medical Center Utrecht).
Their honored visit was a viable collaboration of the minds. Beginning on October 20th, the Bing Center’s staff presented a summarized seminar of the Bing Center’s clinical trial updates on Ibrutinib and CaRD, and research work on whole genome sequencing and MYD88. Into the week, the hematologists were engaged in meeting several of our WM patients in clinic; learning about symptoms, treatments, and back stories of the patients. Concluding on October 23rd. Dr Pals, lectured to over one hundred DFCI scientists entitled, “Targeting adhesion and migration in lymphoma” as part of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s "Lunch & Learn" series of lectures.
Overall, the main objective of their visit was to learn, educate, and guide themselves with understanding Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, as well as form a new collaboration between our Center and a new Waldenstrom's center in the Netherlands. Utilizing a consistent set of methods and shared data between our research centers will serve as acceleration in the pace of discovery, thus, resulting in advancement in drug development, better treatment options, and enhanced quality of life for patients in this disease.
Currently, the Bing Center is the only lab in the world dedicated exclusively to the research & treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, and we will now welcome the opportunity to work with our dedicated colleagues in the Netherlands who are on the path for a Center of Excellence in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia for Europe. For questions or comments about this brief article, please contact Chris Patterson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
