First-ever Mantle Cell Lymphoma Symposium to be held on Nov. 12

Leading international MCL experts offer insights into this rare disease for patients and health-care professionals on Saturday, Nov. 12

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 with the kind of information usually only gleaned in big medical conferences," said Liz Hart McMillan, a five-year lymphoma survivor and co-founder 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 Facebook group 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 MCL 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:

• Andre Goy, M.D., M.S. Chairman and Director, Chief of Lymphoma, the John Theurer Cancer Center: Working Toward Cure and Less Toxic Treatment: Emerging and Novel Therapies for MCL
• Elias Campo, M.D, Ph.D. Chief, Hematopathology Unit and Clinical Director, Center for Biomedical Diagnosis, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona: Understanding the Biology and Prognostic Markers of MCL
• Jorge E. Romaguera, M.D. Deputy Chairman, Division of Cancer Medicine, Lymphoma/Myeloma; and Professor, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Latest Frontline Treatments for MCL
• Christian Geisler, M.D., PhD. Chairman of the Nordic Group Mantle Cell Lymphoma Subcommittee, Oncologist, Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet (Chief Hospital of Denmark), Copenhagen: Impact of High Dose Frontline Therapy with Autologous Stem Cell Transplant on Outcome: the Nordic Group's Experience
• Scott Rowley, M.D. Chief, Blood and Marrow Stem Cell and Transplantation Program, John Theurer Cancer Center: Options for Relapsed or Refractory MCL
• Mr. David Miller, 9 year Mantle Cell Lymphoma Survivor, Aspen, CO: 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."