VJHemOnc Podcast

Induction therapy in myeloma: an ever-changing paradigm

In the majority of hematologic malignancies, induction treatment is given to achieve complete remission. In multiple myeloma, this has only been possible with the use of high-dose therapy plus autologous stem cell transplantation. Novel agents are changing the treatment landscape, with combinations of daratumumab, dexamethasone, thalidomide, bortezomib and lenalidomide increasing the rates of complete remission and partial response compared to VAD.

In this podcast, the endless possible combinations are discussed by Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, of Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France. Speaking from the 24th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2019, held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Prof. Mohty gives us his insight into induction therapy and also where we may be going next.

Precision epigenetic therapy for B-cell lymphoma

Despite marked progress in the lymphoma treatment landscape, the prognosis of patients with relapsed and/or refractory disease remains poor; thus, a continued need exists for the development of innovative approaches and therapies. Epigenetic dysregulation may drive and/or promote tumorigenesis in various malignancies and is prevalent in both B-cell and T-cell lymphomas. Over the past decade, a large number of epigenetic-modifying agents have been developed and introduced into the clinical management of patients with hematological malignancies. This podcast features Ari Melnick, MD, of the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY. The footage included is from the 15th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML), in Lugano, Switzerland.

Acute leukemia: pushing boundaries in disease management

This is an exciting time in the acute leukemia field, with advances in both the treatment landscape and the pathology of the disease. This podcast features a recent discussion amongst acute leukemia experts from the International Workshop on Acute Leukemias (iwAL) 2019 conference held in Barcelona, Spain. In this podcast, Noelle Frey, MD , University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Bianca Santomasso, MD, PhD, of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and Wendy Stock, MD, of the University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, discuss a vast range of topics, including the improvement of patient outcomes, the use of CAR T-cell therapy and the importance of MRD in prognostics.

iwAL 2019: looking to the future of acute leukemia therapy

The treatment landscape of acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia continues to evolve with the addition of novel therapies and methods to monitor disease. One such example is the use of measurable residual disease (MRD) status to plan treatment, determine disease prognosis, and compare treatment efficacy. In terms of novel treatments, CAR T-cell therapy has proven promising for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and will continue to be a key focus of research in the near future. In this podcast, Alan Burnett, MD, PhD, of Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; Andrew Wei, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPA, of Monash University, Victoria, Australia; and Mark Levis, MD, PhD, of Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, discuss the future of acute leukemia therapy at the International Workshop on Acute Leukemias (iwAL) 2019 meeting held in Barcelona, Spain.

CAR T-cell therapy and precision medicine in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Precision medicine provides an array of benefits for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, but it also has its challenges. Here, John Gribben, MD, DSc, FRCP, FRCPath, FMed Sci, of Barts Cancer Institute, London, UK, chairs a discussion with world-class lymphoma experts: Anas Younes, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, and Caron Jacobson, MD, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, on key updates from the International Workshop on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (iwNHL) 2018 meeting, held in Nice, France. The group explores the use of CAR T-cell therapy, considering the hurdles and benefits, and discusses the realm of precision medicine in this field.

MRD testing in multiple myeloma: new technology with promising clinical applications

Determining measurable residual disease (MRD) status is undoubtedly proving to be an effective method of prognostication and measurement of response to novel therapies, hence justifying the mass of attention MRD testing is receiving in multiple myeloma (MM). From the Myeloma 2018 meeting, held in San Diego, CA, Gareth Morgan, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath, of the UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR, chairs an insightful discussion with Jens Lohr, MD, PhD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, Angela Dispenzieri, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, on the promising prospects of emerging, highly sensitive techniques for MRD testing. This podcast covers the enthralling discussion between the trio as they also tackle the question of how far away MRD testing is from prime time and routine clinical use in MM.

CAR T-cells in myeloma: exploratory targets, payment models & treatment sequence

CAR T-cell therapy presents the opportunity to completely revolutionize the treatment of multiple myeloma, with research currently exploring the optimal targets and efficacy of these new agents. In this podcast, recorded at the Myeloma 2018 meeting in San Diego, CA, David Siegel, MD, PhD, of the John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensac, NJ, chairs a discussion with Andrew Spencer, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA, DM, of Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, and Ravi Vij, MD, MBA, of Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO. They discuss the current landscape of CAR T-cell therapy, including exploratory targets, the cost vs. value of this treatment, and consider the question of where CAR T-cells will be best placed in the treatment sequence.

Patient discussion at EHA 2018: CAR T-cells and MRD in CLL

CAR T-cells have demonstrated impressive efficacy in a variety of hematological malignancies, but their use in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is still relatively new. In this podcast, Deborah Sims, CLL patient and advocate, and Brian Koffman, MD, CLL patient, and founder and medical director of the CLL society, discuss their experiences with the disease, and Brian’s recent treatment with CAR T-cells. They speak about their respective treatment routes, CAR T-cell toxicity and efficacy, the use of measurable residual disease (MRD) as an indicator of treatment success, and the future of CLL treatment. This discussion took place at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018.

CLL therapies today: novel agents, combinations & the future of the field

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is experiencing a revolution in its treatment approaches. New therapies are constantly in development, and the past few years have seen an influx of highly effective novel therapies. In this podcast, Jennifer Woyach from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chris Fegan of Cardiff University, Anthony Mato from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Michael Hallek from CECAD of Cologne, Peter Hillmen from Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, and William Wierda of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, discuss the current treatment landscape, as well as what the future holds for CLL therapies.

This podcast explores current challenges in CLL treatment, including the use of CAR T-cells, the variety of novel therapies on the market, and the huge potential benefits of novel agent combinations. The interviews included were recorded at the British Society for Hematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Meeting, the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) 2018 Annual Meeting, and the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018.

CAR T-cell therapy: where are we now and what’s in store for the future?

Over the last several years, CAR T-cell therapy has emerged as a revolution in immunotherapy, with incredible results to date. In this podcast, we look at the results of recent trials, the challenges being faced with the use of this novel therapy and advancements that we will be seeing in the future. This podcast features Tanya Siddiqi of the City of Hope National Medical Center, Faith Davies of UAMS Myeloma Institute, Rose Ellard from King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Marion Subklewe of LMU Hospital Munich, Noelle Frey from the University of Pennsylvania, Stephen Robinson of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, and Yi Lin from the Mayo Clinic.

The experts were speaking from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2018, the American Society for Hematology (ASH) 2017, the 2018 European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Annual Meeting, the British Society of Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting and the European School of Hematology (ESH) Clinical Updates on Acute Leukemias 2018.