VJHemOnc Podcast

EHA 2021: MRD in myeloma

Over the past ten years, the approval of several new and effective therapies for multiple myeloma has significantly improved overall survival outcomes. The introduction of novel therapies has led to high levels of complete response, and many novel techniques are now being explored for the assessment of the depth of response, one of the most effective thus far being measurable residual disease (MRD). MRD describes a small number of cancer cells which remain after treatment but can only be detected by highly sensitive tests. MRD negativity has been demonstrated to be predictive of longer progression-free survival in a number of studies.

In this podcast, Bruno Paiva, PhD, of the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, Noemi Puig, MD, PhD, of the University Hospital Salamanca in Spain, and Benjamin Derman, MD, of the University of Chicago in IL, discuss key research, presented at this year’s Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA 2021), investigating the role of MRD in the management of multiple myeloma.

Latest updates on CAR-T therapy for CLL

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is slow to develop and can be hard to treat as patients relapse or become refractory to currently available therapies. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a novel type of treatment which is currently being explored for several forms of hematological cancer, with FDA approvals of CAR-T therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma already in place. Recent trials, such as the TRANSCEND CLL004 trial, have reported promising data on the effectiveness of CAR-T in treating patients with CLL.

In this podcast, Jordan Gauthier, MD, MSc, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, WA, Tanya Siddiqi, MD, from the City of Hope National Medical Center, CA, and David Porter, MD, from the Abramson Cancer Center, PA, report on the latest results from clinical trials and discuss at what point we can consider the idea of curing CLL with CAR-T therapy.

The Myeloma Sessions: post-COMy 2021 roundtable

Age is an important prognostic factor in multiple myeloma, with patients aged over 75 years showing inferior outcomes when compared to younger patients. Several factors play into the poor survival observed, including a higher incidence of severe disease, and high rates of comorbid conditions and functional impairment. However, the elderly population is heterogeneous, ranging from fit and active to frail and dependent. Thus, caring for older adults with myeloma is complex, with many patient factors influencing outcomes. The clinical approach in this patient population must be modified to account for comorbidities and the likelihood of higher treatment-related toxicity. The introduction of proteasome inhibitors in the last 20 years was a huge step to improving survival in elderly patients. These advancements have continued, with ongoing investigations into optimal PI-based combinations and other novel agents.

In this Post-COMy 2021 Myeloma Session, Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France; Thierry Facon, MD, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France; and Alessandra Larocca, MD, PhD, of the University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy, discuss the latest in the treatment of elderly multiple myeloma. Featuring insights into how elderly myeloma treatment evolved to where we are today, frailty assessment, the challenges associated with the extremes of the frailty spectrum, and a look towards the future.

Focus on ALL: treating older patients, Ph-like ALL & post-transplant interventions

Advances in both the treatment landscape and the pathology of the disease have improved the outcome of children and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, many challenges still remain, including the treatment of older patients with ALL, diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome-like (Ph-like) ALL, a newly identified aggressive subtype, as well as the evolving role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

In this exclusive podcast, VJHemOnc spoke with Selina Luger, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Sarah Tasian, MD, from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA and David Marks, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPath, of the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK, who discuss the challenges in managing older patients with ALL, diagnostic testing modalities for Ph-like ALL and post-allogeneic stem cell transplantation interventions to prevent and treat relapse in patients.

MDS Session: Women in Science

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogenous group of myeloid disorders characterized by the accumulation of dysplastic cells within the bone marrow, resulting in ineffective hematopoiesis and cytopenia. Around 30% of patients with MDS will progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) currently represents the only curative option for MDS; however, novel strategies and therapies are under investigation, including personalized medicine approaches and immunotherapies.

In this VJSession, chaired by Amer Zeidan, MBBS, MHS, of the Yale University School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, CT, Valeria Santini, MD, of the University of Florence in Italy and Eva Hellström-Lindberg of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, discuss their experiences of breaking into the MDS field, share advice for women in science, and talk on the current state of the MDS space.

Key updates on CAR-T & cellular therapy for AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia in adults and is highly heterogenous. AML is typically treated with chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, however not all patients are eligible or able to tolerate these regimens, and many patients will experience relapse. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has demonstrated promising results in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas and is now being explored in AML, alongside other cellular therapies.

In this podcast, Saar Gill of the Perelman School of Medicines, PA, Richard Aplenc of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, Marion Subklewe of the LMU Hospital Munich in Germany, and Rizwan Romee of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MA, discuss the latest data from clinical trials, comparing CAR-T therapy to other immunotherapeutic approaches, and outlining the potential role of CAR-NK cells in AML treatment.

The MDS Sessions: highlights from ASH 2020

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid disorders characterized by the accumulation of dysplastic cells within the bone marrow, resulting in ineffective hematopoiesis and cytopenia. Patients typically have a median survival of 0.8 to 8.8 years. Around 30% of patients with MDS will progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) currently represents the only curative option for MDS; however, novel strategies and therapies are under investigation, including personalized medicine approaches and immunotherapies.

In 2020, the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2020) was presented as an all-virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the quality of data and presentations remained exceptionally high and it was not an event to be missed.

In this roundtable discussion, Amer Zeidan, MBBS, MHS, Yale University School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, CT, Uwe Platzbecker, MD, of the University of Leipzig in Leipzig, Germany, Andrew Brunner, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, and Jacqueline Garcia, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, review the hottest topics in the treatment and management of MDS  presented at the ASH 2020 Virtual Meeting.

 

 

The Transplant Sessions: ASH 2020 highlights

The management of post-transplantation relapse and immune attack is an ongoing battle in patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. The efficacy and safety of therapy options for graft-versus-host disease is part of a larger conversation aimed at improving the outcomes of patients after transplantation. Ongoing research has seen interesting directions with the advent of antigen escape targeted therapies and combination of gamma-secretase inhibitors. Cellular therapy such as CAR-T is on the rise in this field with a collective aim for durability in response.

The 62^nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2020 Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2020) was held virtually this year due to the COVID pandemic – but this did not affect the quality and quantity of data presented, where research was presented from around the globe for improved patient care.

In this roundtable discussion, leading experts Bruce Levine, PhD, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA and Christian Chabannon MD, PhD, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France, present the latest in the management of graft failure, graft-versus-host disease, post-transplant relapse and cellular therapies from the ASH 2020 virtual Annual Meeting and share how the new research and clinical updates can induce durability in patient management strategies in clinical practice.

 

The Lymphoma Sessions: ASH 2020 highlights

The treatment of aggressive lymphomas such as diffuse large B-cell has seen dramatic changes, and with the advent of bispecific monoclonal antibodies, there is hope for a wider demographic of patients.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2020 Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2020) was held virtually – and it didn’t disappoint in the quality and breadth of data presented.

In this exclusive discussion leading experts Graham Collins, MA, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, DPhil, of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK, and Wendy Osborne, MBBS (Hons), MRCP, FRCPath, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK debate the latest in the treatment of lymphoma from the ASH 2020 virtual Annual Meeting and share how the new research and clinical updates can help improve patient management strategies in UK clinical practice.

Latest updates in Hodgkin lymphoma from ISHL HL 2021

The International Symposium on Hodgkin Lymphoma (ISHL) 2021 Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) update gathered an international panel to discuss the most recent developments in HL, and provided a comprehensive update on current and emerging concepts. In this podcast, we spoke to Sven Borchmann, MD, of the University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany, Paul Jan Bröckelmann, MD of the University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, and Alison Moskowitz, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, as they outline the latest thinking in HL, touching on the use of biomarkers in HL, first-line approaches as well as updates in relapsed/refractory disease.