VJHemOnc Podcast

Revolutionary immunotherapies for lymphoma

Immunotherapy has emerged in recent years as an effective novel treatment for lymphoma, with studies constantly striving to identify new molecules that could help patients. Here, Graham Collins, MA, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, DPhil, of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK, discusses the current state of lymphoma immunotherapy research, including follow-up data on the efficacy of rituximab, and information on several newer treatments, such as ADCC-activating monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates. Dr Collins also discusses some of the most exciting data yet to be released in the field, such as that from the ECHELON-1 trial and the use of CAR T-cells in lymphoma. This feature was recorded at the 2017 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference, held in Liverpool, UK.

Latest advances and current challenges in immunotherapies for lymphoma

In this lively discussion, Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD, FRACP, FRCPA, from the Children’s National Health System and George Washington University, Washington, DC, chairs on the hot topic of immunotherapy in lymphoma. Joined by Stephan Ansell, MD, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic, MN, and Steve Gottschalk, MD, from Bayor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, they discuss the immunotherapy session at the 2017 International Workshop on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (iwNHL) in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The panel debate various topics, including toxicity and finding the best combinations for therapies, including the likes of CAR T-cells and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

The circle of CLL: from gene discovery to targeted treatment

In this exciting feature, Carlo Croce, MD, from Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, provides an overview of the history of advancements in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research. Prof. Croce delivers insights into the discovery of the genetic mechanisms and targets of CLL, including his group’s identification of BCL2 and the role of two microRNAs in the pathogenesis of CLL. He explains the advances in CLL in terms of drug therapies that have been able to target the BCL2 gene, which have revolutionized the treatment of CLL patients. This feature was recorded at the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) 2017, held in New York, NY.

Debate on the use of MRD for multiple myeloma management

The highly anticipated panel discussion on the hot topic of MRD at the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK produced thought-provoking debate. In this video the main points of debate are discussed by Jeffrey Wolf, MD from the University of California, San Francisco, CA, Roger Owen, MD, MRCP, MRCPath of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK, Bruno Paiva, PhD from the University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, Nina Shah, MD of UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, CA and Joaquin Martinez-Lopez, MD, PhD from the Hospital Universitario, Madrid, Spain.

Questions asked in the discussion included: Should MRD be the primary endpoint for clinical trials? Should MRD negativity be the goal of myeloma treatment, and are we yet at the point to use it in the clinic? Where is MRD research going moving forward? Furthermore, the pros and cons of flow cytometry vs. next generation sequencing to determine MRD are discussed, as well as the quality control in this process.

Myeloma 2017 day 1 highlights: immunotherapy advances, a new MM subtype and liquid biopsies

Fantastic advances in immunotherapy, including CAR T-cells, bispecific antibodies and potential immunotherapy combinations, were presented at the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK. In this panel discussion, Keith Stewart, MB, ChB and Leif Bergsagel, MD from the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ and Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD of UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR discuss the highlights from day 1 of the meeting. In addition to immunotherapy updates, the potential for a similar phenomenon to double hit lymphoma occurring in multiple myeloma (MM), which would identify a distinct MM subgroup in need of different therapies, is discussed. Furthermore, the application of liquid biopsies and molecular diagnostics in the clinic to improve the management of patients with MM is deliberated. Exciting amyloidosis updates are also touched upon.

Myeloma 2017 day 2 highlights: MRD, targeted therapies and imaging advances

This is a very exciting time for multiple myeloma (MM) research, with advances in a range of areas from new endpoints, to novel therapies and imaging. In this video, an overview of these updates are given by Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD of UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR, Nina Shah, MD of UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, CA and Leif Bergsagel, MD from the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ following day 2 of the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK.

The coverage of MRD at the meeting, including its impact on future clinical trial design, is discussed. The panel also discusses the promising results of study using nelfinavir and proteasome inhibitor combination therapy for MM. The use of further targeted therapies for MM, as well as their combinations, is also debated. Imaging advances for MM are covered and the future of drug screening on patients’ primary cells is postulated. Lastly, the panel discusses the consensus on the primary principles of MM treatment, which will drive advances in MM research.