VJHemOnc Podcast

Applications of MRD in multiple myeloma: using MRD to guide treatment decisions

Measurable residual disease (MRD) has become a key biomarker in the field of multiple myeloma (MM), and the sensitivity of MRD testing has increased in recent years. MRD can indicate the depth of response to treatment as well as patient outcomes, leading to suggestions of using MRD status to guide the treatment of patients with myeloma. 

In this podcast, you will hear from Meral Beksac, MD, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey, Luciano Costa, MD, PhD, UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, and Bruno Paiva, PhD, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, who discuss the exciting potential applications of MRD in multiple myeloma and share insights from recent clinical trials.

Exploring and comparing the curative potential of CAR-T therapy & bispecific antibodies in R/R DLBCL

The treatment and management of relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains a major unmet need, and in recent years, the introduction of immunotherapies including CAR-T cells and bispecific antibodies has provided hope for several patients.

While both CAR-T cells and bispecific antibodies have their benefits, there are several factors to consider when evaluating their curative potential in R/R DLBCL. In this podcast, you will hear from Manali Kamdar, MD, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, Anna Sureda, MD, PhD, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Duran I Reynals Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, and Gloria Iacoboni, MD, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain, who share some insights into the value of CAR-T cells and bispecifics in R/R DLBCL, the benefits and drawbacks of these agents, and further comment on their efficacy and curative potential.

Pre-MDS states: improving prognosis, novel therapeutic approaches, and challenges with distinguishing these conditions

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a heterogeneic group of disorders which remain a challenge to diagnose and treat. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in understanding various pre-MDS states, including idiopathic cytopenia of unknown significance (ICUS), clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), and clonal cytopenia of unknown significance (CCUS). The identification and classification of these pre-MDS states remains a challenge in the field, and it is important to continue developing distinct criteria to distinguish between these states and overt disease.

In this podcast, you will hear from Moshe Mittelman, MD, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, and Klaus Metzeler, MD, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany, who discuss approaches used to identify patients with pre-MDS states, the importance of early intervention, and challenges with distinguishing these conditions. The experts also highlight strategies that may be used to improve diagnosis, and further discuss treatment approaches being explored for these individuals.

Accelerated-phase MPNs: mutational landscape, challenges, and novel treatment strategies being explored

Patients with BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are at risk of progressing to accelerated-phase or blast-phase disease (MPN-AP/BP). Several mutations, including ASXL1, EZH2, and TP53, are involved in progression to MPN-AP/BP, and there are a number of challenges with treating patients who progress to this stage. 

In this podcast, Anand Patel, MD, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Andrew Kuykendall, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, and Jan Philipp Bewersdorf, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, discuss the mutational landscape of MPN-AP, and further highlight challenges with treating patients. The experts also comment on novel therapeutic strategies being explored in this space.

Determining the optimal sequencing of bispecifics and CAR-T cells in multiple myeloma

Bispecific antibodies and CAR-T cells have transformed the myeloma treatment landscape in recent years, providing hope for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease. While both of these therapies offer benefits to patients, there are challenges to address regarding the optimal sequencing of these agents.

In this podcast, experts Salomon Manier, MD, PhD, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France, Surbhi Sidana, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, and Hermann Einsele, MD, FRCP, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, share some interesting insights into the optimal sequencing of bispecific antibodies and CAR-T cells in myeloma, highlighting data from recent clinical trials.

Overcoming barriers to CAR-T therapy: improving access and cost

CAR-T therapy has become a promising novel option for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematological malignancies, providing hope to several individuals with a high unmet medical need. Although CAR-T cells have demonstrated promising efficacy in patients, there are several challenges that need to be overcome before these are optimally used in clinical practice. 

In this podcast, you will hear from Edward Cliff, MPH, MBBS, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, and Natacha Bolaños, Lymphoma Coalition Europe, Madrid, Spain, who discuss two major barriers to CAR-T therapy: the high cost of CAR-T cells and the need to improve access to these agents.

The importance of addressing quality of life and improving symptom management in MPNs

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) represent a challenging group of diseases to treat, and patients with MPNs suffer from several symptoms which negatively impact their quality of life (QoL). Novel agents, including JAK inhibitors, have demonstrated an ability to reduce symptom burden in patients with MPNs, and there is ongoing research aimed at improving symptom management and QoL in these patients.

In this podcast, you will hear from Ruben Mesa, MD, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston Salem, NC, Lucia Masarova, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Jeanne Palmer, MD, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, who discuss the importance of understanding and addressing QoL in patients with MPNs, and further highlight strategies to improve symptom management.

Updates in the treatment and management of amyloidosis and the importance of the multidisciplinary team

Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which insoluble amyloid proteins are deposited in tissues or organs, resulting in organ damage. The diagnosis and treatment of this disease remain a major challenge, with several novel agents being explored in clinical trials. Furthermore, clinicians and researchers are drawing attention to the important role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the treatment and management of patients.

In this podcast, experts Meral Beksac, MD, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey, Shaji Kumar, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Efstathios Kastritis, MD, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece, discuss recent updates in the treatment and management of amyloidosis, and further highlight the importance of the MDT in this disease.

Hemophilia: the current standard of care and the value of novel gene therapies

Over the years, the hemophilia treatment landscape has transformed, with novel agents aiming to improve patient care and quality of life. Factor replacement therapy has been the standard of care in hemophilia, although there are limitations to this approach. More recently, the approval of novel gene therapies has presented a promising option for patients with both hemophilia A and B.

In this podcast, you will hear from Michiel Coppens, MD, PhD, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Johannes Oldenburg, MD, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany, who discuss the current standard of care in hemophilia and share some insights into the value of gene therapies. 

CLL highlights at EHA 2023: latest advances with the use of BTK inhibitors

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), with both covalent and non-covalent agents being explored. There are several questions surrounding the sequencing and selection of these agents, and clinical trials exploring their efficacy. At the 2023 EHA meeting, leading experts from around the globe came together to discuss the latest updates in all areas of hematological oncology. 

In this podcast, you will hear from Lydia Scarfò, MD, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University & IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, and Othman-Al Sawaf, MD, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, who discuss the latest updates with the use of BTK inhibitors in CLL. Topics addressed include the management of double-refractory patients, the efficacy and toxicity of covalent and non-covalent BTK inhibitors, the sequencing of these agents, and more.