Advancing CLL

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Course and module overview

This international iwCLL e-learning course takes you from first principles to advanced practice in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Across five expert-led modules—Diagnosis, Basic Research, Clinical Management, Drug Development & Trials, and Patient Engagement—you’ll connect cutting-edge science with day-to-day clinical decisions and sustainable, patient-centred care.

This module presents core diagnostic technologies and analytical approaches used in the evaluation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It introduces key methods such as immunophenotyping, genetic assessment of TP53, immunoglobulin gene analysis, and the principles of measurable residual disease detection. Each module outlines the type of information these tools can provide and the general frameworks used to interpret their results within recognised diagnostic pathways. Together, the module offers a structured view of the technologies, analytical criteria, and interpretive concepts that contribute to the diagnostic characterisation of CLL.

This module introduces key areas of basic research that contribute to current understanding of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It provides an outline of major scientific themes including genomic complexity, epigenetic regulation, micro-environmental interactions, and signalling processes centred on the B-cell receptor. Each module presents core concepts and research observations that shape contemporary investigations into CLL biology and disease evolution. An optional masterclass offers additional scope for participants engaged in research to examine selected developments in greater depth.

This module outlines key aspects of the clinical management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) across the disease course. It introduces principles for the initial assessment of patients who are managed with active surveillance, approaches to frontline treatment selection, and current understanding of resistance and management in the relapsed/refractory setting. The module also highlights emerging therapeutic strategies and evolving treatment concepts. Each module presents these themes in a descriptive manner, drawing on guideline frameworks, prognostic tools and contemporary trial data, without providing prescriptive recommendations. An accompanying masterclass is designed for clinicians, nurses, pharmacists and trainees who wish to explore practical considerations in greater depth.

This lecture introduces the principles and processes that underpin clinical trial activity and therapeutic development in CLL. It outlines how trial units are organised and governed, how emerging treatments are evaluated across clinical phases, and how scientific advances in CLL contribute to wider drug development efforts. The modules describe foundational concepts including ethical and regulatory frameworks, interpretation of safety and efficacy data, and biological considerations relevant to target selection. Content is presented at a high level and is intended to complement Good Clinical Practice training completed by participants.

This module explores the role of patient engagement in strengthening and sustaining CLL services across diverse health systems. It highlights how individual patient perspectives, global advocacy networks, and structured patient and public involvement contribute to improved equity, access, research relevance and service design. The modules draw on international initiatives, real-world examples and best-practice frameworks to illustrate how patient voices shape awareness, policy, research and resource development. Themes include lived experience, formation of patient organisations, co-production in research, and the specific barriers faced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) when accessing diagnostics and treatment. All content is presented descriptively, focusing on conceptual understanding rather than prescribing models of care.

Course Content

What is this course about?

Due to significant technological advances in diagnosis, prognostication and therapies over the past decade, we have witnessed a transformation of the clinical outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in high-income countries. However, there is still an increasing need for translating these advances to the rest of the world.

This problem-oriented online short course will be delivered in the form of pre-recorded lectures and live tutorials. They will give an overview of the background knowledge and practical skills needed to identify local solutions to potentially improve clinical and research practice in low-middle income countries.

How to Use This Course

This is a five-module course, each addressing specific needs and delivering learning outcomes. Learners are required to complete modules sequentially in order to progress.

The course will be conducted entirely in a virtual format, featuring pre-recorded lectures of approximately 30 minutes, essential reading lists for enhanced self-learning and selected MCQ questions or short essay questions.

Each module will end with a live masterclass led by a senior CLL clinician-scientist.

The pre-recorded lectures will aim to provide participants with essential background and problem-oriented knowledge necessary for identifying local practical solutions that can enhance both clinical and research practices.

The live masterclasses will further enhance the practice-changing nature of the learning experience by providing concrete examples and interactions with advice from experienced clinicians and researchers.

Upon completing the course, trainees will be provided with a certificate of attendance from the iwCLL.

This iwCLL e-learning programme is designed to be taken in a fixed sequence, ensuring that each lecture builds the foundation for the next. The course integrates clinical science, research methodology, drug development, and patient engagement to support sustainable and context-appropriate CLL care worldwide.

Who this course is for

This course is for all haematologists/oncologists, nurses and pharmacists looking after patients with CLL and researchers interested in the biology of CLL practicing in LMICs according to the ODA list.

Certificates and assessment

To complete the course, learners must:

  • Watch all lectures
  • Achieve the required pass mark of 70% on each quiz

Learning objectives

In this course you will:

  • Develop an understanding of CLL diagnosis, including immunophenotyping, key genomic markers (e.g. TP53, IGHV) and measurable residual disease (MRD).
  • Explore current research in CLL biology, including genomic and epigenetic heterogeneity, micro-environmental interactions and B-cell receptor signalling.
  • Examine clinical management strategies for CLL across active surveillance, frontline, relapsed and refractory settings, alongside emerging therapies.
  • Gain insight into principles of drug development and clinical trials, including ethical and regulatory frameworks, trial unit organisation, and interpretation of safety and efficacy data.
  • Understand the role of patient engagement, advocacy and public involvement in strengthening CLL care and research globally, with attention to equity and access in low- and middle-income countries.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Acquire a working knowledge of the technologies and analytical tools used in CLL research and diagnosis.
  • Describe the current state of research in CLL microenvironment, genomics and epigenomics.
  • Critically discuss the challenges involved in establishing a registry or clinical database.
  • Deliver safe and effective management of patients with CLL in an exemplary multi-disciplinary tumour board environment.
  • Appraise the requirements for clinical trial units.
  • Incorporate patient engagement in their practice.