ASTCT Talks

In this episode of ASTCT’s Titans of Transplant series, Dr. Taha Al-Juhaishi welcomes Dr. Sattva Neelapu of MD Anderson Cancer Center for a deep and insightful conversation on the evolution, challenges and future of CAR T therapy.

From the groundbreaking ZUMA-1 trial to today’s expandinglandscape of commercial CAR T products, Dr. Neelapu shares pivotal clinical experiences, lessons learned in toxicity management and reflections on mentorship and innovation.

This episode offers a look at the progress made, the barriers that remain and the opportunities ahead for the next generation of leaders in cellular therapy.

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, we're excited to share a special feature from the Pharmacy Focus: Oncology Edition podcast in honor of American Pharmacists Month, featuring members of ASTCT Pharmacy SIG.

Expert pharmacists share key insights on BCMA bispecifics, CAR T-cell therapies, and other cellular treatments for multiple myeloma. Moderated by Ryan Shaw, PharmD, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the discussion features Sara Ann Scott, PharmD, of Emory Winship Cancer Institute, and Kelley Julian, PharmD, of the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. Together, they explore treatment sequencing strategies for cellular therapies, with a focus on ciltacabtagene autoleucel and idecabtagene vicleucel.

A panel of oncology pharmacists discusses the role oflifileucel in metastatic melanoma and other considerations for using cellular therapy in solid tumors. 

Featuring Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP 

Natalie Brumwell, PharmD, BCOP 

Bryant A. Clemons, PharmD, BCOP 

In a special co-branded episode between Oncology On theGo, hosted by CancerNetwork®, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)’s program, ASTCT Talks, for American Pharmacists Month, a panel of oncology pharmacists discussed optimal strategies for using cellular therapies as treatment for patients with solid tumors.

The panel included Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute in Orlando, Florida; Natalie Brumwell, PharmD, BCOP, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in cellular therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York; and Bryant A. Clemons, PharmD, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in hematology, blood and marrow transplantation, and cellular therapy at the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center in Lexington, Kentucky. 

The discussion focused on the use of the first commercially available tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, lifileucel (Amtagvi), which the FDA granted accelerated approval status to in February 2024.1 The panelists first reviewed supporting data from the phase 2 C-144-01 trial (NCT02360579), in which lifileucel demonstrated an objective response rate of 31.5% (95% CI, 21.1%-43.4%), and a median duration of response that was not reached (NR; 95% CI, 4.1 months-NR) at the time of the approval. Additionally, the group highlighted considerations for dosinginterleukin-2 (IL-2), including management of toxicities and when to hold or discontinue further doses.

Following a thorough breakdown of the proper conditions for using lifileucel in melanoma, the panelists concluded by discussing how to build upon an “exciting time for cellular therapy in solid tumors.” As part of optimizing the dosing of lifileucel and other cellular therapies in these patient populations, the experts exchanged ideas on how practices can collaborate across institutions and departments to expand access to novel treatments while helping providers develop comfort in administering these agents. 

Reference 

FDA grants accelerated approval to lifileucel for unresectable or metastatic melanoma. News release. FDA. February 16, 2024. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/2kweca6x 

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, Dr. Taha Al-Juhaishi is joined by Dr. Filippo Milano, director of the Cord Blood Transplant Program at Fred Hutch, for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving role of umbilical cord blood transplantation.

From its historical milestones to emerging clinical strategies, Dr. Milano shares insights drawn from decades of research, practice and mentorship. The discussion explores the unique biological advantages of cord blood, including its potent graft-versus-leukemia effect and low incidence of chronic GVHD. Dr. Milano outlines ideal patient profiles, unit selection criteria and conditioning regimens, while addressing challenges like engraftment delays and infection risk.

As the field looks ahead, Dr. Milano reflects on theimportance of inclusivity, scientific rigor and mentorship to reengage transplant centers and inspire the next generation of clinicians. Whether as a stand-alone therapy or part of a hybrid platform, cord blood transplantation continues to offer hope for patients with high-risk disease and limited donor options.

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, supported by an educational grant from Sanofi US, Dr. Corey Cutler is joined by psychiatrist and physician-scientist Dr. Hermioni Amonoo to explore the psychological complexities faced by patients undergoing stem cell transplantation and living with chronic GVHD. Drawing from her research and clinical experience, Dr. Amonoo introduces a biobehavioral framework that integrates biological, psychological and social factors.

This episode offers practical insights and compassionate strategies for improving psychological well-being in transplant patients, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary care.

For more information, read the article “A Biobehavioral Perspective on Caring for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors with Graft-Versus-Host Disease” by Lahijani et al. shared in a September 2024 GVHD Supplement collection by the journal.

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, supported by an educational grant from Sanofi US, Dr. Corey Cutler sits down with Dr. Ana Barata to discuss the critical role of physician-patient communication in GVHD and stem cell transplantation. Together, they unpack the complex emotional and psychological landscape facing transplant survivors and the communication barriers that often go unspoken. 

Dr. Barata shares insights into the challenges faced by both patients and providers, ranging from unspoken anxiety and cognitive dysfunction to hesitations around discussing complementary therapies. This episode offers a look at how better communication can transform the transplant experience, making space for shared decision-making, emotional support and truly patient-centered care. 

For more information, read the article “Patient and Physician Communication in the Allogeneic Transplantation Setting: Challenges and Potential Solutions” by Barata et al. shared in a September 2024 GVHD Supplement collection by the journal.

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, Dr. Rahul Banerjee sits down with Dr. Kenneth Lim and Dr. Yi Lin of Mayo Clinic to discuss a critical and emerging topic in CAR T-cell therapy: delayed neurotoxicities following cilta-cel treatment in multiple myeloma. They break down the clinical features of nerve palsies and Parkinsonism-like symptoms, share diagnostic and treatment strategies and explore emerging predictive markers like absolute lymphocyte count. Given that cilta-cel is increasingly being used in second-line myeloma treatment and is even being studied in first-line treatment to replace stem cell transplantation, this conversation is a timely and insightful look at improving patient outcomes in CAR T-cell therapy.

In the next installment of ASTCT's Titans of Transplant series, Dr. Shernan Holtan sits down with Dr. Daniel Weisdorf—renowned leader, mentor and pioneer in cellular therapy and transplantation—for a reflective and engaging conversation on the evolution of the field. From the early days of sibling-only donors and bone marrow harvests to today’s innovations in GVHD prophylaxis and cord blood transplantation,

Dr. Weisdorf shares personal anecdotes, pivotal clinical insights and lessons in mentorship, writing and research. Together, they explore the milestones, challenges and future directions in transplant and cellular therapy—offering a powerful perspective on what it means to make a lasting impact in patient care and scientific progress.

An expert panel highlights key presentations in multiplemyeloma, lymphoma, and other hematologic malignancies at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting.

CancerNetwork®, in collaboration with The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), organized an X Space hosted by Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP; Taha Al-Juhaishi, MD; and Muhammad Salman Faisal, MD. This expert panel convened to discuss key presentations and abstracts of interest at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featuring noteworthy developments in modalities like CAR T-cell therapy and transplantation across multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and other disease types.

Banerjee is an assistant professor in the Clinical Research Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. Al-Juhaishi is the associate director of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapy Program at Oklahoma University Health Stephenson Cancer Center and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Faisal is a hematologist/oncologist at Oklahoma University HealthStephenson Cancer Center and serves as an ambassador for ASCO.

The group highlighted several late-breaking abstracts,plenary sessions, and poster presentations focused on significant clinical trial data and other findings across the hematologic oncology landscape. Topics of interest included the following:

• Phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE-1 trial (NCT03548207,NCT05201781)1

• Long-term follow-up showed that approximately one-third(33%; n = 32) of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma maintained progression-free status for at least 5 years following a single infusion of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel; Carvykti).

• An equal likelihood of progression-free survival occurred in patients with high-risk cytogenetics or extramedullary plasmacytomas.

• With a median follow-up of 61.3 months, the median overall survival (OS) with cilta-cel was 60.7 months (95% CI, 41.9-notevaluable [NE]).

•  Real-world axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel; Yescarta) use2

• Across inpatient and outpatient treatment settings, safety and efficacy outcomes were comparable for patients who received axi-cel for relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma.

• Multivariate analysis showed no associations between intended care setting and cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome.

• Investigators noted that these real-world data support the consideration of axi-cel in appropriate outpatient settings.

• Phase 1b/2 NEXICART-2 trial (NCT06097832)3

• Investigators assessed NXC-201, a sterically optimized CAR T construct, as a treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory light chain amyloidosis, a population with no FDA-approved options.

• Among 12 patients who received the agent at 450x 106 cells, 100% achieved rapid and deep hematologic responses at a median time to first and best response of 7 and 26 days, respectively.

• With a median follow-up of 121 days (range, 29-289), no hematologic relapses or progression had occurred.

References

1.     Voorhees P, Martin T, Lin Y, et al. Long-term (≥5 year) remission and survival after treatment with ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) in CARTITUDE-1 patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(suppl 16):7507. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.7507

2.     Furqan F, Hemmer M, Tees M, et al. Trends and outcomes by inpatient and outpatient infusion of axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) in the US for patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory large B-cell

lymphoma (R/R LBCL). J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(suppl 16):7023. doi:10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.7023

3.     Landau H, Hughes C, Rosenberg A, et al. Safety and efficacy data from Nexicart-2, the first US trial of CAR-T in R/R light chain (AL) amyloidosis, Nxc-201. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(suppl 16):7508.

doi:10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.7508

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, Dr. Taha Al-Juhaishi welcomes Dr. Marcos de Lima, hematologist-oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, to explore the rapidly evolving field of homegrown CAR-T therapies. Together, they dive into the definitions, motivations and barriers of decentralized CAR-T manufacturing, the global innovation landscape and what it takes to build sustainable academic cell therapy programs. Dr. de Lima shares his firsthand experience launching point-of-care CAR-T programs, the regulatory and payer landscape and the future of academic-industry collaboration in expanding access. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of decentralized cell therapy and innovation in academic centers.