In this podcast, Prof Thorsten Zenz from University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, discusses the current approaches to treatment of relapsed hairy cell leukemia (HCL). Based on his personal journey as a hematologist interested in precision oncology, prof. Zenz summarizes the years of accumulating data and clinical experience to explain the treatment approach he often uses for his patients.

Thanks to the clear molecular target (V600E mutation of BRAF), treatment of classical hairy cell leukemia with BRAF inhibitors, such as vemurafenib, is an example of precision oncology that can result in deep responses. As combination of this treatment with anti-CD20 antibody leads to durable complete responses in most patients, Prof Zenz often uses this regime in his patients with refractory or relapsed hairy cell leukemia.

However, as different countries have access to different treatment options, Prof Zenz also discusses the role, sequencing and combinations of other drugs, such as to purine analogs (i.e. cladribine), MEK inhibitors, BTK-inhibitors, Bcl-2 inhibitors (i.e. venetoclax) or recombinant CD22-targeting immunotoxin (i.e. moxetumomab). In light of emerging (although still limited) data on these drugs and questions about their optimal sequencing, guidelines are being developed by Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (HCLF) and EHA that aim to help the clinicians with making choices for their patients.

This podcast is further enriched by insights from prof. Enrico Tiacci from University and Hospital of Perugia in Italy, who discovered that V600E mutation of BRAF is the key genetic lesion underlying hairy cell leukemia. Prof Tiacci shares his views on the treatment options and their sequencing, based on the clinical trials he conducted and his clinical experience.

Guest: Prof Thorsten Zenz

This episode is part of a series of lectures recorded at the EHA congress in Madrid in June 2024. This podcast containing accompanying slide content is available as a video on Spotify, YouTube, and EHA Campus. More lectures will be available in the future. Stay tuned!

For more information about a past or upcoming EHA Congress, visit https://ehaweb.org/congress/

Learn More

What did you think of this podcast? Share your opinions with us in this short feedback survey.

Provide Feedback

Would you like to explore more eLearning or podcasts? Please visit the EHA Campus.

https://ehaedu.org/Campus

Subscribe, share, and review this podcast to be able to address topics you enjoy and like to listen to.

Follow EHA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EHA_Hematology/

Facebook: https://e-h-a.link/facebook

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eha/

Email us: [email protected]

Subscribe to receive the EHA Educational Updates via https://eha.news/subscribe