Mount Sinai Researcher Publishes Landmark Studies Advancing Treatment for Rare and Aggressive Lymphoma
Three major Mount Sinai research studies offer new hope for patients facing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a rare type of blood cancer. The studies were led by Adam Kittai, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Director of Mount Sinai’s CLL Program. As one of the world’s leading experts on Richter transformation, Dr. Kittai aims to increase awareness about Mount Sinai’s CLL program and welcome patients in need of a second opinion.
CLL is a slow-growing type of lymphoma that is often treated successfully, and many people live with it for years. However, in a small number of patients, CLL can change into a much more aggressive cancer called Richter transformation. This condition is more difficult to treat and can quickly become life-threatening.
CLL accounts for about one in three new cases of leukemia in the United States, and about one percent of cancers overall, according to the American Cancer Society. In the past, most people with Richter transformation had a survival time of only 6 to 12 months. Dr. Kittai’s recent research shows that some patients—especially those who have not had prior chemotherapy for their CLL—may now live up to two years or more.
Three high-impact papers about Richter transformation
Dr. Kittai’s first study (published in the April 2025 issue of Blood) is the largest analysis to date of CAR T-cell therapy for Richter transformation, showing that this treatment can lead to long-term remission in some patients.
The second study (published in the February 2025 issue of Blood Cancer Journal) looked at a group of patients who had never received chemotherapy for CLL and found they lived longer than expected after developing Richter transformation.
The third paper (published in the March issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology) brought together top researchers from around the world to create guidelines for diagnosing and studying Richter transformation.
“These studies show that we’re starting to make progress. We’re giving patients more options—and more hope,” said Dr. Kittai. “Richter transformation can be scary, but we now have new ways to fight it. Our goal is to give patients more time and better outcomes.”
New Clinical Trial at Mount Sinai
Dr. Kittai is leading a new clinical trial at Mount Sinai that tests a powerful combination treatment for Richter transformation: CAR-T cell therapy along with a drug called zanubrutinib, a BTK inhibitor. BTK, inhibitors are drugs that can interfere with the signaling pathways that promote the growth and survival of cancerous B cells, making them a valuable treatment option for certain blood cancers. This trial is one of only two like it in the United States. It gives eligible patients access to advanced treatment, even early in their diagnosis.
“We’re excited about this trial because it may improve survival for people with this rare disease,” said Dr. Kittai. “And we can get patients started quickly, which is important because Richter transformation can get worse fast.”
Because Richter transformation is so rare and aggressive, Dr. Kittai encourages doctors to refer patients early and consider clinical trials. He and his team are accepting new patients for second opinions and trial evaluations.
“If you or your patient is facing Richter transformation, we are here to help,” said Dr. Kittai. “This is a difficult disease, but we now have treatments that are showing real promise.”
For information about Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) visit: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-cll
For information about Richter transformation call 212-241-6756.
About the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is internationally renowned for its outstanding research, educational, and clinical care programs. It is the sole academic partner for the seven member hospitals* of the Mount Sinai Health System, one of the largest academic health systems in the United States, providing care to New York City’s large and diverse patient population.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers highly competitive MD, PhD, MD-PhD, and master’s degree programs, with enrollment of more than 1,200 students. It has the largest graduate medical education program in the country, with more than 2,600 clinical residents and fellows training throughout the Health System. Its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers 13 degree-granting programs, conducts innovative basic and translational research, and trains more than 560 postdoctoral research fellows.
Ranked 11th nationwide in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is among the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. More than 4,500 scientists, educators, and clinicians work within and across dozens of academic departments and multidisciplinary institutes with an emphasis on translational research and therapeutics. Through Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP), the Health System facilitates the real-world application and commercialization of medical breakthroughs made at Mount Sinai.
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* Mount Sinai Health System member hospitals: The Mount Sinai Hospital; Mount Sinai Brooklyn; Mount Sinai Morningside; Mount Sinai Queens; Mount Sinai South Nassau; Mount Sinai West; and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with 48,000 employees working across seven hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.
Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 11 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report's® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2024-2025.
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