The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology

#72 - Mast Cell Disease, the Hematologist & New Treatments on the Horizon


Listen Later

Why talk to a hematologist about mast cell disease and systemic mastocytosis treatment?

Dr. Douglas Tremblay, a leading hematologist, joins Dr. G and Kortney to discuss the role of a hematologist-oncologist in diagnosing and treating mastocytosis. We discuss bone marrow's vital role in diagnosing and treating systemic mastocytosis. 

Dr. Tremblay discusses the latest KIT inhibitors, a promising group of medications, and explains the difference between indolent and advanced systemic mastocytosis. He clarifies how KIT inhibitors work and emphasizes the importance of managing side effects. Finally, Dr. Tremblay provides insights into the future of KIT inhibitor approval and explores the possibility of participating in a clinical trial for Bezulastinib. 

What we cover in this episode about treating systemic mastocytosis:

  • What is a hematologist looking at with mast cell disease patients?
  • Mast cell diseases and the role of bone marrow
    • Bone marrow biopsy for systemic mastocytosis 
  • What is a bone marrow biopsy?
  • Information bone marrow biopsy provides for diagnosis
  • KIT mutation 
  • KIT mutation testing in bone marrow and blood (digital droplet PCR)
  • Indolent Mastocytosis versus Advanced Mastocytosis
  • Current research for treating mast cell disease
  • How KIT inhibitors work
  • Do KIT inhibitors weaken the immune system?
  • KIT Inhibitors discussed in this episode:
    • Avapritinib
  • Bezulastinib
  • Elenestinib
  • Are KIT inhibitors a cure for mast cell disease?
  • Determining the tolerance for side effects of medications when researching and adding new medicines for diseases 
  • The meaning of ‘NIB’ in the medication names
  • The timeline for the new KIT inhibitors approval
  • The type of patient that can participate in the clinical trials for Bezulastinib
  • Resources about mast cell disease:

    Dr. Tremblay: https://profiles.mountsinai.org/douglas-a-tremblay

    Dr. Tremblay’s email: [email protected] 

  • Mast Cell Disease Overview: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/mast-cell-diseases/

  • What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/

  • What is Epinephrine? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/what-is-epinephrine/

  • The Mast Cell Disease Society: https://tmsforacure.org/

  • Current studies enrolling patients: https://tmsforacure.org/clinical-trials/

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & ImmunologyBy The Itch: Allergies, Asthma & Immunology

    • 4.3
    • 4.3
    • 4.3
    • 4.3
    • 4.3

    4.3

    86 ratings


    More shows like The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology

    View all
    Real Time with Bill Maher by HBO Podcasts

    Real Time with Bill Maher

    16,391 Listeners

    The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast by The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

    The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

    3,336 Listeners

    The Daily by The New York Times

    The Daily

    111,917 Listeners

    Up First from NPR by NPR

    Up First from NPR

    56,285 Listeners

    Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

    Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

    14,849 Listeners

    Core IM | Internal Medicine Podcast by Core IM Team

    Core IM | Internal Medicine Podcast

    1,095 Listeners

    The Dr. Hyman Show by Dr. Mark Hyman

    The Dr. Hyman Show

    9,367 Listeners

    The Peter Attia Drive by Peter Attia, MD

    The Peter Attia Drive

    7,967 Listeners

    AAAAI Podcast: Conversations from the World of Allergy by The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

    AAAAI Podcast: Conversations from the World of Allergy

    47 Listeners

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    27,238 Listeners

    AMA Update by American Medical Association

    AMA Update

    100 Listeners

    Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

    Huberman Lab

    28,527 Listeners

    ZOE Science & Nutrition by ZOE

    ZOE Science & Nutrition

    2,039 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    20,604 Listeners

    The Jefferson Fisher Podcast by Civility Media

    The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

    8,054 Listeners