VJHemOnc Podcast

The current role of stem cell transplantation in MPNs & how this may change with novel agents

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) represent a heterogeneous group of diseases which remain a challenge to treat. While there have been several advances in the MPN treatment landscape, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) remains the only curative option for patients. There are several important factors to consider when selecting patients for transplant, and the introduction of novel targeted therapies may further impact the role of alloSCT in MPNs.

In this podcast, you will hear from Ruben Mesa, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, Jeanne Palmer, MD, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, Claire Harrison, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, and Haris Ali, MD, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, who discuss the current role of alloSCT in MPNs and how this may change with novel agents.

iwMyeloma Session II: the tumor microenvironment and mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies

The 16th International Workshop on Multiple Myeloma (iwMyeloma) 2023 took place in Madrid, Spain, and brought together leading clinicians and researchers who discussed several topics. In this podcast series, you will hear the latest updates in the treatment of multiple myeloma and gain an insight into the sessions that took place at this year’s meeting.

In this podcast, Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, Paola Neri, MD, PhD, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, Lawrence Boise, PhD, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, and Charlotte Pawlyn, BA, MBBChir, MRCP, PhD, FRCPath, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, discuss the tumor microenvironment, the immune microenvironment, and mechanisms of resistance to agents including IMiDs, bispecifics and CAR-T cells.

iwMyeloma Session I: genomics of high-risk and smoldering multiple myeloma

The 16th International Workshop on Multiple Myeloma (iwMyeloma) 2023 took place in Madrid, Spain, and brought together leading clinicians and researchers who discussed several topics. In this podcast series, you will hear the latest updates in the treatment of multiple myeloma and gain an insight into the sessions that took place at this year's meeting. 

In this podcast, Leif Bergsagel, MD, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, Francesco Maura, MD, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, Jill Corre, PharmD, PhD, The Cancer University Institute of Toulouse Oncopole (IUCT), Toulouse, France, and Niels Weinhold, PhD, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany, discuss the genomics of high-risk multiple myeloma and smoldering myeloma. Topics covered include the importance of next-generation sequencing (NGS), the role of del(17p) and TP53 mutations, and more.

The important role of transplantation in AML: improving outcomes for patients & the value of pre-transplant MRD

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) remains a valuable treatment option for fit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and the importance of measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring in this malignancy is well established. Several clinicians and researchers are conducting trials to further evaluate how to improve outcomes for patients undergoing alloSCT.

In this podcast, you will hear from Charles Craddock, CBE, FRCP(UK), FRCPath, DPhil, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, and Christopher Hourigan, MD, DPhil, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, who discuss the important role of transplantation in AML, the value of pre-transplant MRD, and more. This discussion was filmed at the 18th International Symposium on Acute Leukemias (ISALXVIII), held in Munich, Germany. 

Insights into the changing role of chemotherapy in lymphoma

Although several novel agents have been implemented in the treatment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HL; NHL), chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment, both in the frontline and relapsed settings.

In this podcast, you will hear from Anna Sureda, MD, PhD, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Duran I Reynals Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, who shares some insights into the current role of chemotherapy in HL and various subtypes of NHL, and further explains how novel therapies, including CAR-T cells and antibodies, are changing the treatment landscape of these diseases.

Comparing the ICC and WHO classifications for MDS and their impact on clinical practice

Recently, the International Consensus Classification (ICC) and World Health Organization (WHO) classification systems for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were updated and published. Although these two systems are similar, there are key differences which must be taken into consideration by clinicians when diagnosing patients.

In this podcast, experts Amer Zeidan, MBBS, Yale University and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, Sanam Loghavi, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Rami Komrokji, MD, and Somedeb Ball, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, discuss the latest updates in the classification of MDS and share some insights into how these may impact clinical practice.

Managing and treating toxicities associated with CAR-T therapy: CRS, ICANS & infections

CAR-T cell therapy represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, there are several toxicities associated with these agents, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and infections.

In this podcast, you will hear from experts Eleni Gavriilaki, MD, PhD, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece, Kevin McNerney, MD, MSc, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, and Andriyana Bankova, MD, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, who share some insights into the treatment and management of these common toxicities.

The growing role of immunotherapy in the treatment of ALL & moving away from stem cell transplantation

Over the years, the treatment landscape of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has transformed with the implementation of novel immunotherapies, including CAR-T cells, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Furthermore, chemotherapy-free regimens are being increasingly explored, with several ongoing trials evaluating these.

In this podcast, experts Arnon Nagler, MD, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel, Maksim Mamonkin, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, Nicholas Short, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Ryan Cassaday, MD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, share some insights into the growing role of immunotherapy in ALL. Topics covered include the value of novel agents, targeting CD7 in T-ALL, and the possibility of moving away from stem cell transplantation (SCT). 

The current status of CAR-T therapy in CLL and challenges in this space

In recent years, novel immunotherapies, including CAR-T cell therapy, have greatly improved treatment options for patients with hematological malignancies. Although CAR-T cells have demonstrated remarkable success in several diseases, including multiple myeloma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), there has been less success with these agents in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 

In this podcast, you will hear from John Gribben, MD, DSc, FRCP, FRCPath, FMed Sci, Barts Cancer Institute, London, UK, Marco Ruella, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, and Adam Kittai, MD, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, who share some insights into the current status of CAR-T therapy in CLL. The experts discuss challenges with developing efficacious CAR-T products for CLL, the possibility of combining CAR-T cells with ibrutinib, and further comment on the latest advances in CAR-T therapy for Richter's transformation.

Managing and treating GvHD and other post-transplant complications

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common complication associated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), and can occur in acute and chronic forms. Novel approaches are being explored to minimize the risk of GvHD and improve the overall success of alloSCT.

In this podcast, you will hear from experts Charles Craddock, CBE, FRCP (UK), FRCPath, DPhil, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, Shernan Holtan, MD, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Anna Sureda, MD, PhD, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Duran I Reynals Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, and Christopher Kanakry, MD, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, who discuss the importance of addressing post-transplant complications, and further highlight current approaches to GvHD prophylaxis and treatment.