VJHemOnc Podcast

Lymphoma is a group of malignant neoplasms of lymphocytes that progress in the lymphatic system. Generally, lymphomas are categorized into two groups: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Depending on which type of lymphocyte is affected, NHL is classified into B-cell and T-cell NHL. The treatment landscape of B-cell NHL has evolved with the recent treatment developments, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies. Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), a CAR T-cell product, is currently being evaluated in patients with follicular lymphoma or marginal zone lymphoma in the ZUMA-5 trial. Additionally, lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) demonstrated promising clinical activity among patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), according to the TRANSCEND study. One of the novel CAR T-cell products, AUTO3, which contains two independent CARs targeting CD19 and CD22, is being evaluated in patients with R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

In this fascinating podcast, Sattva Neelapu, MD, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Michael Wang, MD, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Aravind Ramakrishnan, MD, Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Center at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Austin, TX, discuss CAR T-cell therapy updates in the lymphoma field presented at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2020 Annual Meeting and Exposition.

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Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a heterogeneous group of rare myeloid neoplasms characterized by the abnormal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells within one or more terminal myeloid lineages. Recent advances in the field have drastically improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of MPNs, which have expanded the scope for potential novel therapies.

In this podcast, we are joined by Jyoti Nangalia, MBBChir, of Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK, Srdan Verstovsek, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Cem Akin, MD, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, to discuss pioneering data surrounding MPN pathogenesis and novel therapies presented at this year’s virtual American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition.

The post Moving forward in MPN: timing driver mutations and novel therapies from ASH 2020 appeared first on VJHemOnc.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a range of disorders characterized by morphologic dysplasia, cytopenias, and a risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Patients with lower-risk MDS are defined as having a risk of very low, low, or intermediate disease according to the IPSS-R. The armamentarium of treatment approaches is broadening in the field of lower-risk MDS, however, greater advances in treatment strategies are required before we can confidently alter the natural course of disease in the majority of patients.

In this podcast, Amer Zeidan, MBBS, Yale University and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, chairs an insightful discussion on lower-risk MDS, focusing on diagnostic approaches and associated challenges, current management of disease as well as future novel therapeutic options for MDS patients. Dr Zeidan is joined by Valeria Santini, MD, of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy, Rami Komrokji, MD, of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, and Olatoyosi Odenike, MD, of the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

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Mutations in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene are seen in 30% of all acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases, most commonly involving the internal tandem duplication region (FLT3-ITD) which constitutively activate its kinase activity and thus, allows for leukemia cell proliferation and survival. A particularly poor prognosis is conferred by mutant FLT3, increasing relapse risk, and decreasing overall survival. For this reason, FLT3 genetic testing is advised at diagnosis, and the development of FLT3 inhibitors represent a significant research area over the past decade. Integration of these inhibitors, such as midostaurin and gilteritinib, have helped to improve outcomes of patients with AML but challenges remain, especially treatment resistance.

In this podcast, Naval Daver, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX chairs an insightful discussion on FLT3 mutated AML as part of the AML sessions, together with Amir Fathi, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Jessica Altman, MD, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; and Eunice Wang, MD, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY. They discuss novel treatment combinations for FLT3 mutated cancer, as well as treatment options for front-line and post-transplant maintenance settings, and mechanisms of resistance.

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This year’s virtual International Workshop on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (iwNHL) highlighted key progress in our understanding of various non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes, the role of the immune microenvironment, as well as evaluating novel therapeutic strategies in development for patients with NHL.

In this podcast, John Gribben, MD, DSc, FRCP, FRCPath, FMed Sci, of Barts Cancer Institute, London, UK, chairs a compelling discussion on key highlights from the iwNHL 2020 virtual meeting, including the next questions from the results of the KEYNOTE-204 trial in Hodgkin lymphoma, the significance of immunotherapy and the microenvironment, and an overview of exciting novel agents in NHL. Prof. Gribben is joined by Peter Borchmann, MD, of the University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany, Martin Hutchings, MD, PhD, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

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