Welcome to the second edition of the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Alliance newsletter! Since launching the MCLA just a few months ago, we've been encouraged by the momentum we've built together. Throughout June, we've continued laying the foundation for an organization dedicated exclusively to improving the lives of those affected by mantle cell lymphoma.
We've begun discussions with companies to explore partnerships that can accelerate patient education and research. We launched MCLA Voices to elevate the perspectives of people living with MCL and those who care for them. We've also launched our Facebook community (already growing to more than 225 followers), expanded the educational resources on our website with new guidance for those who are newly diagnosed, and secured a booth at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, where we'll represent the voices and priorities of MCL patients before the world's leading hematology community. These are just a few of the many steps we're taking as we work to build a stronger, more connected future for the MCL community.
In this issue, you'll learn more about the launch of MCLA Voices, meet one of our Board Members through a personal patient story, and catch up on some of the most important mantle cell lymphoma research presented at this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress. As always, our goal is to bring you trusted information, highlight emerging advances, and ensure that the patient perspective remains at the center of everything we do.
Introducing MCLA Voices
We're proud to announce the launch of MCLA Voices, a new community of patients, caregivers, and family members who will help shape the future of the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Alliance.
MCLA Voices members will have opportunities to share their perspectives to help inform research and advocacy efforts, ensuring that the patient voice remains at the center of advances in MCL. Members will also play an important role in guiding the growth of the MCLA by providing feedback on our website, newsletter, patient and caregiver services, educational resources, and future initiatives.
If you would like to volunteer, we invite you to join us. There is no minimum commitment or "right" way to participate.
Learn more about MCLA Voices →Kris's Story: I Was So Wrong About My Last Chapter
I am writing this on June 4, 2026, two years to the day since I received my Tecartus CAR-T cells.
Four years ago, I thought I was starting my last chapter. I had just been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. Not the slower-moving type some people have, but aggressive, high-risk disease...
Read Kris's full story →A Month of Progress — Major MCL Updates from ASCO and EHA
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
June was an exciting month for the MCL community, with some of the world's largest cancer conferences highlighting promising advances across the mantle cell lymphoma treatment landscape.
This year's ASCO Annual Meeting featured several studies with immediate relevance for MCL patients. Highlights included long-term data showing durable remissions with fixed-duration glofitamab (a bispecific antibody), strong real-world outcomes with Breyanzi (a CAR-T cell therapy), and early first-in-human results for an innovative "in vivo" CAR-T approach that could one day make cellular therapy faster and more accessible.
Read the ASCO article →European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress
EHA expanded on that momentum with encouraging early data on next CAR-T therapies targeting new cellular markers, more promising research on "in vivo" CAR-T cell therapy, updated results for a new treatment combo of sonrotoclax plus zanubrutinib, and new research on the benefit of rituximab maintenance after bendamustine-rituximab.
Read the EHA article →Grow the team — volunteer with the MCLA
As the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Alliance continues to grow, we're looking to expand our team of dedicated volunteers. If you're interested in helping advance our mission, we'd love to hear from you. We are especially seeking individuals with experience in fundraising, grant writing, and patient mentoring.
Fill out the volunteer form →What's next
July promises to be an exciting month for the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Alliance. We'll be sharing several new announcements and features in this newsletter designed to keep you better informed and connected.
Stay tuned — we look forward to sharing what's next.
With gratitude, the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Alliance