Colleen DeProspero is a 63 year old woman who came to the TCCC to see Dr. Phinney at referral of her primary care provider for progressive CLL management. She was initially diagnosed 03/2018 and was treated with ibrutinib/ venetoclax. Recurrence was shown 04/2023 at which time she was treated with zanubrutinib. Unfortunately, recurrent disease again presented on 02/2026. She then started clinical trial with experimental precision therapy at the TCRC under Dr. Phinney’s care (Jolenna Short, Research Nurse). She had 90% of her marrow and multiple nodes/ spleen invaded with CLL. Her blood showed high CLL cell count in circulation and low platelet and red blood cell (RBC) count related to the growing CLL in the bone marrow hurting her platelet and RBC survival.
Cycle 1 Day 1 was 03/11/2026. Within 8 weeks of starting precision treatment, her CLL in the blood was reduced by more than half and her platelet count and RBC count returned to normal. Colleen’s feeling to such a rapid cancer shrinkage…“I feel like there is hope, like I’ve been given more time. I can still be a mom and grandma, which is important especially since losing my husband. I feel so blessed.” Other than hair thinning, the experimental precision therapy used to treat Colleen was well tolerated. “I have not experienced many side effects, but I have energy again. I’m ecstatic!” As of today, Colleen’s CLL is cleared in the blood.
Repeat bone marrow analysis confirmed improvement and treatment continues at this time. “I have been given my life back. I don’t know where I’d be if this trial wasn’t available, especially so close to home.”