VJHemOnc Podcast

The evolving role of cellular therapies and T-cell engagers in lymphoma

This VJHemOnc podcast explores emerging cellular therapies and T-cell engagers in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Krish Patel, MD, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, is joined by Paolo Strati, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Michael Jain, MD, PhD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, to discuss novel cellular therapy strategies, including NK-cell therapies, allogeneic CAR T-cells, and in vivo CAR approaches. The panel highlights early clinical data with the iPSC-derived NK-cell products FT516 and FT596, alongside evolving strategies to reduce CAR T-cell toxicity and improve access to cellular therapies.

The podcast also features Loretta Nastoupil, MD, Southwest Oncology, Durango, CO, Lorenzo Falchi, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, and Jason Westin, MD, FACP, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, who discuss the expanding role of T-cell engagers in follicular lymphoma and large B-cell lymphoma, including mosunetuzumab-based combinations and the growing number of frontline bispecific antibody trials in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Multiple myeloma in 2026: MRD, BCMA therapies, CAR-T, and the path to cure

This VJHemOnc podcast explores how evolving treatment strategies, immunotherapies, and MRD-driven approaches are reshaping the management of multiple myeloma and precursor disease. Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses early intervention strategies in smoldering myeloma and presents findings from the CAR-PRISM study (NCT05767359) evaluating cilta-cel in high-risk smoldering disease. Kwee Yong, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath, University College London, London, UK, highlights advances in understanding the genomic and immune drivers of progression in smoldering myeloma.

Pieter Sonneveld, MD, PhD, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, reviews evolving frontline treatment strategies, including quadruplet regimens, combination maintenance, and the growing role of sustained MRD negativity. Rakesh Popat, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, University College London Hospitals, London, UK, discusses BCMA-targeted therapies, including findings from the DREAMM-6 (NCT03544281) and REALiTEC-2 (NCT06285318) studies evaluating belantamab mafodotin and teclistamab in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Finally, Nikhil Munshi, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, explores evolving concepts of cure and the role of sustained MRD negativity in defining long-term remission in multiple myeloma.

Dual-targeting CAR T-cell therapies in LBCL: efficacy, safety, and bridging therapy

This VJHemOnc podcast features a roundtable discussion from the 8th International Workshop on CAR-T and Bispecifics (iwCAR-T) 2026 on the evolving role of dual-targeting CAR T-cell therapies in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Gloria Iacoboni, MD, PhD, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain, is joined by Saurabh Dahiya, MD, FACP, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, Nirav Niranjan Shah, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, Krish Patel, MD, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, and Akil Merchant, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, to discuss recent trial updates evaluating dual-targeting CAR constructs in LBCL.

The discussion highlights efficacy and safety outcomes, as well as key challenges in clinical practice, including rapid manufacturing, the role of bridging therapy, toxicity management, and optimizing patient selection. The panel also reflects on the importance of interpreting CAR T-cell trial results within the context of differing study designs and inclusion criteria.

Advances in gene-based therapies for SCD and thalassemia: access, outcomes & innovation

This VJHemOnc podcast explores the latest advances in gene-based therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia, highlighting progress in patient access, selection, treatment delivery, and clinical outcomes. Sunil Gupta, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, MBA, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, London, UK, discusses expanding access to gene therapy for patients with SCD, while Alexander Ngwube, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, shares insights into real-world patient selection and decision-making.

Rabi Hanna, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, outlines key considerations for selecting patients with SCD and thalassemia for gene therapy, discusses strategies to optimize the treatment pathway from stem cell mobilization to long-term follow-up, and reviews results from the RUBY trial (NCT04853576) of gene editing therapy in severe SCD. Zachary Crees, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, also highlights emerging mobilization approaches, including motixafortide-based strategies to improve stem cell collection for gene therapy.

The evolving role of BTK inhibitors in CLL

 

Adverse events in the post-CAR T-cell therapy setting: infections, less common toxicities, and advice for physicians

In this episode of the podcast, we focus on adverse events (AEs) and toxicities in the post-CAR T-cell therapy setting. First, Marion Subklewe, MD, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany, outlines the main factors contributing to the observed reduction in the incidence of higher-grade CRS and ICANS following CAR-T. Following this, Eleftheria Kampouri, MD, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland, shares insight into infection prevention and antibiotic use in febrile patients, and Birte Friedrichs, MD, Düsseldorf University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany, discusses the misconception among physicians that the side effects of CAR-T are too severe for their patients, noting the potential impact of this belief. You will then hear from Megan Melody, MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, who shares advice for community physicians monitoring patients for less common toxicities following CAR-T, and Kenneth Lim, MBBS, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, who highlights AEs that physicians should be aware of when treating patients with multiple myeloma with ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel).

The evolving treatment landscape in MCL: chemo-free strategies, BTK inhibitors, and changing standards of care

This VJHemOnc episode explores major shifts in frontline mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) care, highlighting the move from traditional chemotherapy to chemo‑free regimens and the growing role of BTK inhibitors.

Michael Wang, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, outlines the importance of frontline treatment in achieving long-term disease control. You will also hear from David Lewis, MBChB, PhD, FRCPath, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK, Tycel Phillips, MD, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, and Krish Patel, MD, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, who share perspectives on patient selection for therapy, biological risk factors, and how treatment decisions differ between academic and community settings.

Advances in stem cell transplantation from EBMT 2026: managing GvHD, donor selection & evolving clinical strategies

This episode reviews major advances presented at the EBMT 2026 meeting in Madrid, covering novel treatments for acute and chronic GVHD, including a promising microbiome-based therapy, and new targeted agents.

Experts discuss the growing importance of donor germline genetics, updated guidance for Hodgkin lymphoma transplantation, the shifting role of CAR T‑cell therapy in non‑Hodgkin lymphoma, and how measurable residual disease (MRD) is shaping transplant decisions and post‑transplant care.

Overall, the episode highlights how these developments are improving personalization and outcomes in haemopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Myeloid Monthly: breaking news & updates from the classification advancement meeting

This VJHemOnc podcast introduces the first edition of Myeloid Monthly, focusing on key developments in myeloid malignancies. Amer Zeidan, MD, Yale University, New Haven, CT, is joined by Robert Hasserjian, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, and Sanam Loghavi, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, to discuss breaking updates from the Classification Advancement Meeting (CAM), held in Chicago in March 2026.

The panel explores the evolving classification of myeloid neoplasms, including the shift from morphology to molecular genetics, key differences between the WHO and ICC systems, and areas of ongoing debate such as MDS, AML, and overlap syndromes. They also discuss the process of harmonising these frameworks, the clinical implications for diagnosis, trial design, and patient care, and how CAM recommendations are expected to inform a future unified WHO classification.

How AI is transforming hematologic oncology

This VJHemOnc podcast explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming hematologic oncology, from clinical research and diagnostics to risk prediction and therapy development. Aaron Gerds, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, discusses AI-driven approaches to improving clinical trial enrollment, while Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, highlights advances in AI-based pathology for lymphoma classification.

Ciara Freeman, MD, PhD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, examines multimodal AI for predicting CAR T-cell outcomes, while Zinaida Good, PhD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, and Andrea Schmidts, MD, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany, explore AI applications in CAR T-cell design. Gianluca Asti, MSc, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy, discusses federated learning for data sharing, and Amin Turki, MD, PhD, Ruhr-University Hospital Bochum and University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany, highlights challenges in real-world AI implementation.