VJHemOnc Podcast

This episode of the VJHemOnc podcast explores the current and future role of BTK inhibition across several non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes.

First, Charalampia Kyriakou, MD, PhD, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust (UCLH), London, UK, Steven Treon, MD, PhD, FRCP, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, and Anna Maria Frustaci, MD, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy, provide insight into the established role of BTK inhibitors (BTKis) in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). Following this, Krish Patel, MD, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, Manali Kamdar, MD, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver, CO, and Tycel Phillips, MD, FASCO, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, discuss the shift of BTKis to the frontline setting in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and outline therapeutic approaches being evaluated for patients who relapse on these agents. Next, Alexey Danilov, MD, PhD, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, highlights why BTKis have not had the same impact in follicular lymphoma (FL) as in other B-cell malignancies, and comments on their current role in this disease, before Paolo Strati, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses the value of newer-generation BTK inhibitors in relapsed/refractory (R/R) indolent B-cell lymphoma. To conclude, Dr Kamdar shares insight into the potential role of BTKis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

In this episode of the VJHemOnc podcast, Daan Dierickx, MD, PhD, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, shares insight into the diagnosis and management of hematologic malignancies during pregnancy. Dr Dierickx comments on common misconceptions clinicians may have when treating this patient population and outlines key principles and factors that guide clinical decisions for pregnant patients to optimize outcomes for both the mother and the baby. He then discusses the current approach to managing specific malignancies during gestation, including acute leukemias, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), and multiple myeloma. 

This VJHemOnc podcast explores the latest advances in Hodgkin lymphoma, from evolving frontline treatment strategies to emerging approaches in relapsed and refractory disease. Graham Collins, MA, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, DPhil, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK, discusses the final three-year results from the AVENUE study (NCT03617666) and the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in guiding treatment de-escalation. Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, compares BrECADD and Nivo-AVD for advanced-stage disease, while Sven Borchmann, MD, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany, highlights the prognostic value of ctDNA-based measurable residual disease assessment. Guilherme Perini, MD, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil, reviews the Phase II KEYFORM-008 trial (NCT05508867) investigating dual LAG-3 and PD-1 blockade in relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and Cathy Burton, MB BChir, MD, MRCP, FRCPath, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK, discusses treatment sequencing after checkpoint inhibition and the evolving role of autologous stem cell transplantation.

This podcast explores sequencing strategies and treatment considerations for BTK inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Jennifer Brown, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses treatment options following covalent BTK inhibitor therapy, including venetoclax-based regimens and non-covalent BTK inhibitors. Gianluca Gaidano, MD, PhD, University of Eastern Piedmont, Vercelli, Italy, examines treatment selection after BTK inhibitor therapy, the improved safety profile of second-generation BTK inhibitors, and the Phase III AMPLIFY trial (NCT03836261) evaluating fixed-duration acalabrutinib plus venetoclax.

Barbara Eichhorst, MD, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany, reviews the CLL-FRAIL study investigating continuous acalabrutinib in older and frail patients with CLL. Kerry Rogers, MD, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, discusses strategies to overcome BTK inhibitor resistance, including fixed-duration combinations and long-term follow-up from a Phase II study of venetoclax plus ibrutinib in patients with BTK inhibitor resistance mutations. Finally, Matthew Davids, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, presents findings from the Phase III BRUIN CLL-322 trial (NCT06073821) evaluating fixed-duration pirtobrutinib, venetoclax, and rituximab in previously treated CLL.

This podcast explores the evolving role of precision medicine in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), highlighting advances in molecular profiling, targeted therapies, measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment, and transplantation. Amer Zeidan, MBBS, MHS, Yale University and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, discusses the Phase I/II KOMET-007 study (NCT05735184) evaluating ziftomenib in combination with intensive chemotherapy for newly diagnosed NPM1-mutated or KMT2A-rearranged AML, while Amir Fathi, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, reviews the emerging menin inhibitor landscape.

Robert Negrin, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, discusses the selection of FLT3 inhibitors and the role of FLT3-directed maintenance following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Jorge Cortes, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, presents a quality-adjusted survival analysis of quizartinib in newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive AML. Arnon Nagler, MD, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel, explores the integration of targeted therapies, mutation status, and MRD assessment into transplant decision-making. Finally, Andrius Žučenka, MD, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania, discusses revumenib maintenance after transplantation in patients with KMT2A-rearranged or NPM1-mutated AML.

This VJHemOnc podcast explores how advances in disease biology, risk stratification, and therapeutic development are reshaping the management of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Stephen Oh, MD, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, discusses mechanisms of disease progression, the DUSP6-RSK1 signaling pathway as a therapeutic target, and the ongoing debate around early versus late intervention in MPNs. Hélène Gleitz, PhD, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands, shares insights into the role of the bone marrow microenvironment and fibrotic niches in disease evolution.

Akriti Jain, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, discusses the prognostic significance of TP53 mutation acquisition timing, while Yu-Hung Wang, MD, PhD, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan, highlights machine learning approaches that model MPNs as a biological continuum. Ciro Rinaldi, MD, PhD, United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospital and University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK, reviews a Phase II study of momelotinib plus bomedemstat in myelofibrosis, and Marta Sobas, MD, PhD, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland, discusses ongoing unmet needs and future priorities in MPN care.

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.

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.

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.

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.