VJHemOnc Podcast

Key updates in the treatment and management of MPNs

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a class of hematological cancers characterized by the excessive production of a particular blood cell. MPNs is an umbrella term covering disorders such as myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV), and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Pathological features are a key aspect of MPN diagnostics, hence improvements in digitally visualizing pathology and the use of machine learning for tracking patients will aid the field. Multiple clinical trials are underway for different therapeutic agents, including calreticulin-directed vaccines and antibodies for ET and MF. There are three approved JAK inhibitors for MF: ruxolitinib, fedratinib and pacritinib. An evolving question is whether combinations of JAK inhibitors will further the benefits observed in monotherapy, and if combinations will go as far as achieving disease modification.

In this exclusive podcast, leading experts Claire Harrison, MD, DM, FRCP, FRCPath, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, Ruben Mesa, MD, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, and Jean-Jacques Kiladjian, MD, PhD, Saint-Louis Hospital & Paris Diderot University, Paris, France, hold a fascinating discussion on current developments in the management and treatment of MPNs.

 

Addressing unmet needs and future treatment approaches in AL amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous disease that results from the deposition of abnormal protein aggregates in various tissues and organs. The treatment and diagnosis of amyloidosis remain a challenge, and experts agree that there are several unmet needs in the field. In recent years, there have been advances in clinical trials investigating novel treatment approaches for amyloidosis, providing patients with more hope.

In this exclusive podcast, Angela Dispenzieri, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, shares some insights into the treatment and management of light chain (AL) amyloidosis, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and raising awareness of this disease. Dr Dispenzieri also discusses important clinical trials, unmet needs and challenges in the field, and the promise of novel agents being evaluated for the treatment of this disease.

Myeloma treatment in the UK: updates from Muk Nine b: OPTIMUM & the importance of genomics

While the treatment of multiple myeloma has seen several recent advances, challenges still remain when approaching patients with high-risk disease, and experts agree that incorporating genomic testing is an important step in treatment. In the UK, the Muk Nine b: OPTIMUM trial is a pivotal trial looking into the treatment of high-risk patients, providing insights into the importance of genomics. 

 

In this exclusive podcast, UK experts Graham Jackson MBBS, FRCP, FRCPath, MD, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK, and Martin Kaiser, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, share some insights into myeloma treatment from a UK perspective, discussing the importance of genomics, key updates from the OPTIMUM, MASTER, and Myeloma XI trials, and the importance of chromosome 1q.

Updates in lymphoma and CLL treatment in the UK

In recent years, there have been many advances in the treatment of lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the UK. Several novel agents and clinical trials are emerging in both lymphoma and CLL, providing more options for patients. 

In this exclusive podcast, leading experts Kate Cwynarski, FRCP, FCRPath, PhD, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, and Andrew Davies, MRCP, PhD, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, hold a fascinating discussion on recent updates in the lymphoma and CLL treatment landscape from a UK perspective. Dr Cwynarski and Dr Davies discuss several trials, including the POLARIX trial (NCT03274492), the FLAIR trial (ISRCTN01844152), the MARIETTA trial (NCT02329080), novel promising agents, and the future treatment of lymphoma. 

The importance of early intervention and interception in myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a heterogenous and complex disease, with many experts agreeing that screening for precursor conditions can improve patient outcomes. With several new technologies emerging and an increased understanding of precursor conditions, it is evident that early intervention and interception are important steps in finding a cure for this disease. 

In this exclusive podcast, Irene Ghobrial, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses the importance of early interception in multiple myeloma and how screening and risk stratification can help with finding a cure.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the EBMT & projects in the pipeline

The 48th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), which took place on 19-23 March 2022, was held virtually for the third time in a row due to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Despite the great success of this year’s Annual Meeting, the EBMT had to face significant challenges during these past two years of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Join us for this insightful discussion where leading experts Christian Chabannon, MD, PhD, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France, and President of the EBMT Anna Sureda, MD, PhD, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Duran I Reynals Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, review the efforts of the EBMT during the COVID-19 pandemic, and comment on the impact of the pandemic on transplantation practices. Prof. Chabannon and Dr Sureda also discuss the relevance of stem cell transplantation within the context of CAR-T therapy and outline the EBMT’s future projects.

CAR-T and lymphoma treatment in the UK

Lymphoma treatment has seen many recent advances, with CAR-T therapy being a game changer for patients. Several clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of CAR-T products are ongoing, and many experts in the field are eager to see how the availability of CAR-T products will influence the treatment landscape. Of course, access to novel therapies varies in different regions, and while there are many approvals going through NICE, there are still questions that remain regarding lymphoma treatment in the UK.

In this exclusive podcast, Robin Sanderson, BSc, MBChB, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, and Tobias Menne, MD, PhD, FRCPath, of the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK, discuss lymphoma treatment in the UK, drawing focus on CAR-T therapy, including the management toxicities, treating transplant-ineligible patients, and more. 

Harnessing the power of immunotherapy in myeloma and amyloidosis

The myeloma treatment landscape has seen a lot of progress in the last few years, with several novel therapies emerging, including immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs), monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, and more recently, cereblon E3 ligase modulators (CELMoDs). Targeting resistance to those drugs is an ongoing topic of research, and it is important to learn how to best use these agents to enhance the patient’s immune response and eventually approach a cure. In amyloidosis as well, there is a growing interest in exploring immunotherapeutic strategies such as CAR-T therapy and bispecific antibodies to improve patient outcomes.

In this fascinating episode chaired by Faith Davies, MBBCh, MRCP, MD, FRCPath, of NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, Charlotte Pawlyn, BA, MBBChir, MRCP, PhD, FRCPath, of The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, and Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD, of Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, have a discussion about novel targets in 2022, commenting on IMiD resistance, immunogenic cell death, and novel treatments for amyloidosis. This discussion took place at The International Workshop on Myeloma 2022, held in Scottsdale, AZ.

The impact of AI and machine learning algorithms in MDS

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms are transforming treatment and prognosis in hematological malignancies, as well as other areas of medicine. AI is becoming increasingly important for managing large data sets and patient information and is being explored in a number of areas. Despite the growing interest and promise of AI and machine learning algorithms in a medical setting, there are many challenges associated with applying these in a clinical setting, and questions that still need to be answered.

In this exclusive podcast, Amer Zeidan, MBBS, MHS, of Yale University and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, Aziz Nazha, MD, of the Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, and Anne Sophie Kubasch, MD, of Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany, hold a fascinating discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

MMRF-CoMMpass: the genomic basis of myeloma subtypes

Despite significant advances in molecular profiling and treatments for multiple myeloma, patients with high-risk and ultra high-risk disease still have poor outcomes, with variable and unpredictable responses to therapy. The MMRF-CoMMpass study (NCT01454297) is a cooperative research endeavor aiming to map the genomic profile of patients with multiple myeloma to clinical outcomes. Certain features such as loss of P53 and chromosome 1 abnormalities have been associated with high-risk disease. It is important to better characterize multiple myeloma subtypes to advance our understanding of patient responses to therapy and how high-risk features may impact long-term outcomes.

In this exclusive podcast, Jonathan Keats, PhD, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, discusses some of the results from the CoMMpass study, highlighting specific genomic features linked to high-risk and ultra high-risk multiple myeloma. This discussion took place at The International Workshop on Myeloma 2022, held in Scottsdale, AZ.