VJHemOnc Podcast

Highlights from EBMT 2025: preventing and managing GvHD, harnessing AI in transplant, & more

In this week’s VJHemOnc podcast, we’ll be sharing highlights from the 51st Annual Meeting of the EBMT, with a focus on the prevention and management of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and infections associated with stem cell transplantation (SCT). You will also hear about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in hematology and transplantation.

Tune in as experts Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France, and Arnon Nagler, MD, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel, provide insights into current treatment approaches for acute and chronic GvHD, discussing the advent of new therapies. Following this, you’ll hear about cytomegalovirus (CMV) management from Per Ljungman, MD, PhD, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) diagnosis from Eleftheria Kampouri, MD, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Raffaella Greco, MD, PhD, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.

Finally, Manuela Spadea, MD, University of Turin, Turin, Italy, comments on ushering in the era of the hematologist-AI alliance, and Adrián Mosquera-Orgueira, MD, PhD, Santiago Clinic Hospital CHUS, Santiago, Spain, highlights the potential for harnessing machine learning to predict post-SCT outcomes in patients with myelofibrosis (MF).

Sequencing therapies in R/R NHL: immunotherapy in DLBCL, BTKis in MCL, & more!

This podcast episode features experts Paolo Strati, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Gloria Iacoboni, MD, PhD, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain, and Manali Kamdar, MD, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver, CO, who discuss the sequencing of therapies in relapsed/refractory (R/R) non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). They focus on the sequencing of CAR T-cells and bispecific antibodies in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the use of BTK inhibitors (BTKis) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and advances in the treatment of follicular lymphoma.

Novel CAR strategies being explored in lymphoma: allogeneic products, trispecific CARs & new manufacturing platforms

CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized the lymphoma treatment landscape in recent years. In this episode, we delve into cutting-edge CAR strategies being investigated for lymphoma, including allogeneic products, trispecific CARs, and more. Key highlights include insights into CTX112, a next-generation allogeneic CRISPR-Cas9 engineered CD19 CAR T-cell product. This episode also covers studies of trispecific CAR T-cells targeting CD19, CD20, and CD22. 

Stay tuned to learn more about these promising approaches from experts Chan Cheah, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA, DMSc, Linear Clinical Research and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia, Armin Ghobadi, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, Evandro Bezerra, MD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, Nirav Shah, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, Manali Kamdar, MD, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver, CO, and Valentín Ortiz-Maldonado, MD, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Approaches to optimizing induction therapy in AML: FLT3 inhibitors, menin inhibitors, CPX-351, & more!

Newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is traditionally treated with intensive chemotherapy for eligible patients, but ongoing research is exploring the addition of targeted agents. This podcast focuses on approaches being explored to optimize induction therapy in AML, featuring experts Tapan Kadia, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Curtis Lachowiez, MD, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, Ioannis Mantzaris, MD, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, Selina Luger, MD, FRCPC, University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, Harry Erba, MD, PhD, Duke University, Durham, NC, Fabio Guolo, MD, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, and David Sallman, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.

The experts discuss key trials in this space, including venetoclax combined with intensive induction chemotherapy, a Phase II study comparing midostaurin with gilteritinib in FLT3-mutated AML (NCT03836209), and the combination of ziftomenib with intensive chemotherapy. They also examine the role of CPX-351 in induction therapy and its potential combination with gemtuzumab ozogamicin.

Treating R/R mantle cell lymphoma: the role of BTK inhibitors, combination approaches being explored & overcoming resistance

BTK inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape in both frontline and relapsed/refractory (R/R) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), offering a targeted therapy option for patients.

In this podcast, you will hear from Krish Patel, MD, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, Nashville, TN, Yucai Wang, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Julie Vose, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, Adrian Minson, MBBS, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, and David Lewis, MD, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK. The experts cover a variety of topics, exploring the role of BTK inhibitors in R/R MCL, promising combinations being explored, and strategies to overcome resistance.

Addressing unmet needs in myeloma: early detection, frail/elderly patients, triple-class exposed disease, & more!

In recognition of Myeloma Awareness Month 2025, this podcast explores key unmet needs and unanswered questions in myeloma research and patient care, offering insights and strategies for healthcare professionals to address them. The discussion centers on four topics: the treatment of smoldering myeloma, managing frail and elderly patients, challenges in triple-class refractory disease, and racial disparities in myeloma care.

Featuring experts Karthik Ramasamy, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK, Tarek Mouhieddine, MD, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City, NY, Mateo Mejia Saldarriaga, MD, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France, Joseph Mikhael, MD, MeD, FRCPC, FACP, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ, & International Myeloma Foundation, Studio City, CA, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center & University of Miami, Miami, FL, P. Joy Ho, MBBS, DPhil, FRACP, FRCPA, FFSc(RCPA), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital & University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Enrique Ocio, MD, PhD, Marquis of Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain, and Joselle Cook, MBBS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

CAR T-cell therapy in ALL: trial updates, novel approaches, & real-world outcomes

CAR T-cell therapy has become an established treatment for several hematological malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and has significantly changed the therapeutic landscape for patients. In this podcast episode, renowned experts will share insight into the use of CAR-T in ALL, including updates of pivotal trials, novel approaches being explored, and real-world outcomes.

First, you will hear from Valentín Ortiz-Maldonado, MD, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, who shares the results of the pivotal CART19-BE-02 trial (NCT04778579), a multicenter study investigating varnimcabtagene autoleucel (var-cel) in adult patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell ALL (B-ALL). Following this, Pere Barba, MD, PhD, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, and Jae Park, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, provide valuable insight into findings from the FELIX trial (NCT04404660), the results of which led to the FDA approval of obecabtagene autoleucel (obe-cel) for adult patients with R/R B-ALL in November 2024. Next, Ibrahim Muhsen, MD, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, shares the findings of a retrospective analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of brexucabtagene autoleucel (brexu-cel) in older patients with R/R B-ALL. Finally, you will hear some updates of trials assessing novel CAR-T approaches in ALL from Armin Ghobadi, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, and Evandro Bezerra, MD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH.

Post-ASH amyloidosis highlights: the ANDROMEDA trial, risk stratification, value of MRD, & more!

Today's podcast features a discussion with experts Vaishali Sanchorawala, MD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, and Ashutosh Wechalekar, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, DM, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, from the 66th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. They share their key highlights in amyloidosis from the meeting, including updates from the ANDROMEDA trial (NCT03201965), the risk stratification of patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis, the value of measurable residual disease (MRD), and potential advances with CAR T-cell therapy in this disease setting.

Post-ASH non-malignant highlights: updates in sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and hemophilia

This episode of the VJHemOnc podcast covers updates in non-malignant hematological diseases from the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, which took place in San Diego, CA. You will hear the latest updates in sickle cell disease (SCD), thalassemia, and hemophilia from leading experts.

First, Sophia Delicou, MD, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece, will provide an update on the HIBISCUS (NCT04624659) trial of etavopivat in SCD, and Rabi Hanna, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, will present updated results of the RUBY (NCT04853576) trial investigating reni-cel in severe SCD. This will be followed by an update of a trial being conducted in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia, the ENERGIZE-T study (NCT04770779), from Maria Domenica Cappellini, MD, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Finally, you will hear the results of the explorer7 trial (NCT04083781) in hemophilia A and B from Amy Shapiro, MD, Indiana University Hemophilia Center, Indianapolis, IN.

Post-ASH myeloma highlights: key takeaways for community physicians & trials to look out for in 2025

This podcast brings you exclusive updates on multiple myeloma from the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, held in San Diego, CA. In this episode, experts Karthik Ramasamy, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK, Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, Alexander Lesokhin, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, Luciano Costa, MD, PhD, UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, Mansi Shah, MD, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center & University of Miami, Miami, FL, and Bruno Paiva, PhD, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, share key insights from the meeting.

The discussion covers updates on smoldering myeloma, including the practice-changing results of the AQUILA (NCT03301220) study, as well as the latest advances in bispecific antibodies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The experts also highlight exciting research to watch for in 2025. Finally, they provide guidance on the use of measurable residual disease (MRD) and address the ongoing challenge of treating high-risk multiple myeloma.