Author: Editor

Eunice Wang, MD, talks about some of the evolving treatment considerations for FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who have failed prior TKI therapy at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Noa Biran, MD, talks about her thoughts on the promising combination of carfilzomib and daratumumab in revlimid-refractory multiple myeloma patients at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

David I. Quinn, MD, discusses whether the convenience factor of oral TKIs enters into the decision-making process when treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients

Lisa Rometty, Vice President and General Manager, Oncology, Life Sciences, and Personal Health, IBM Watson Health, talks about how augmented intelligence is helping oncologists make everyday decisions when treating cancer patients at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Douglas W. Blayney, MD, explains differentiating CDK4/6 Inhibitors and if they can be used interchangeably.

Neelima Denduluri, MD, shares her thoughts on the practice-changing results of the TAILORx study presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Primo N. Lara, Jr., MD, explains how a newly diagnosed advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patient should be treated in the 2nd line following I-O failure at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Howard Hochster, MD, shares his perspective on the outcomes of the PRODIGY7 study in metastatic colorectal cancer patients using heated single agent oxaliplatin after surgery at the 2018 Annual Meeting.         metastatic colorectal cancer patients, prodigy7 study, mcrc, perspective on the outcomes

Eunice Wang, MD, talks about what we’ve learned about gilteritinib in FLT3-ITD mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

David I. Quinn, MD, explains his thoughts on 2nd line therapy options following I-O failure 2018 Annual Meeting.

Neelima Denduluri, MD, shares her thoughts on the implications of the TAILORx study at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Noa Biran, MD, talks about her thoughts on the logistics involved in delivering CAR-T in the BB2121 study in multiple myeloma patients at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Patients with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) don’t respond well to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. In this interview, Chris Fegan, MB, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, from Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, discusses a study carried out on T-cell telomeres from CLL patients, in which it was observed that these telomeres shorten even more rapidly than those in CLL cells. This interview was recorded at the British Society for Hematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, Liverpool, UK

The British Society for Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Meeting in Liverpool, UK, had a record number of clinical experts in attendance. Speaking from the Annual Meeting, Simon Rule, MD, from Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK, incoming BSH Vice President, explains the importance of such events in improving access to the latest clinical research in hematology for healthcare professionals who otherwise may not be able to attend some larger congresses. Social media plays a key part in improving communication of clinical research, and Dr Rule believes that this medium can help engage cancer nurses by giving education targeted for their needs.

The UK is in a leading position internationally for use of minimal residual disease (MRD) measurements in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this interview, Richard Dillon, MBBS, from King’s College London, UK, discusses the importance of using MRD in these patients and how its use in the UK has advanced. Dr Dillion discusses the Phase III MyeChild01 (NCT02724163) and AML19 (ISRCTN78449203) trials for children and younger adults with AML. These studies are effectively utilizing MRD measurement as a key marker to choose which patients undergo transplantation. The studies are also collecting additional data, on factors such as quality of life,…

Chris Fegan, MB, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, from Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, touches on several of the national and international cohort studies he has been involved in, proposing that telomere length is a prognostic factor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The studies have all identified the association between long telomere length and a better clinical outcome for patients. Moving forward, Dr Fegan suggests the use of telomere length to inform patients better on what is likely to happen to them, as it iss the only prognostic marker that is present at diagnosis This interview was recorded at the British Society for…

There are three times more patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) than cystic fibrosis (CF) in the USA, yet SCD receives 10 times less research funding than CF. In this interview, Sonia Wolf, MD, from Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK discusses her Crucible Prize-winning presentation titled Young, Black and Stigmatised: how haematologists harm patients with sickle cell disease. Dr Wolf explains how misconceptions healthcare professionals have about patients with SCD may influence the care given, and how hematologists can cause harm in three key ways: admitting patients for excessive durations, administering opioids inappropriately and failing to ensure sufficient psychological…

BTK inhibitors have seen success in treating various hematological malignancies, and their approval has been extended to mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Here, Simon Rule, MD, from Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK, discusses the challenges of treatment resistance, pointing out that the earlier use of BTK inhibitors, such as ibrutinib, lead to more effective treatment together with reduced side effects. Speaking at the British Society for Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Meeting in Liverpool, UK, Prof. Rule alludes to the potential of the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax, and the exciting promise of CAR T-cell therapy in patients previously treated with ibrutinib. Prof. Rule concludes…

Richard Dillon, MBBS, from King’s College London, UK, discusses the current landscape for minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The evolution of MRD-guided therapies is timely, with MRD moving to being clinically relevant. Dr Dillion mentions multiple studies conclusively proving that MRD is one of the most, if not the most, relevant prognostic factor in AML. In the last few years, MRD measurement has been incorporated into treatment protocols, enabling physicians to choose the best treatment for each individual patient. This interview was recorded at the British Society for Hematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, held in…

Telomere erosion and fusion play an important role in the pathology of many common human malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In this interview, Chris Fegan, MB, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, from Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, discusses the findings of a study analyzed the telomere profiles of CLL patients, to give a better idea of the replicative history of the disease. The study identified the shortest telomeres ever recorded in primary human tissue, reinforcing the concept that there is significant cell division in CLL. The study also provided evidence that critical telomere shortening, dysfunction and fusion contribute to disease progression. This…

Could patients who remain MRD negative long-term whilst on maintenance treatment cease treatment? Here, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, discusses the utilization of MRD measurement as a strategy for treatment-free survival. This video was recorded at the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

There are many questions surrounding minimal residual disease (MRD) detection and its role in decision making; for example, whether drug administration should be continued in a multiple myeloma (MM) patient who is MRD negative, or whether to change the treatment given if a patient is MRD positive. Here, Niels van de Donk, MD, PhD, of VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, speaking from the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, discusses the importance of MRD negative complete remission, and how clinical trials such as POLLUX (NCT02076009) and CASTOR (NCT02136134) have established that MRD negative…

Timothy Hughes, MD, of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia, talks about the TARGET survey, a survey of real-world management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) across 33 countries. This survey looked at how physicians chose front-line therapy and selected who would be eligible for treatment-free remission, as well as their practice of molecular monitoring. Dr Hughes explains that there is a concern, as many physicians reported that they are not able to perform molecular monitoring on a regular basis. This has an impact on the likelihood of successful outcomes in CML, so it is important for physicians to monitor their…

Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, describes novel uses for minimal residual disease (MRD) measurement in multiple myeloma (MM), including his experience of monitoring MRD ‘over time’, how we might think of the definition of relapse going forward, and the studies his institute is working on in these areas. This video was recorded at the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Niels van de Donk, MD, PhD, of VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, discusses an exciting preclinical investigation of the safety and tolerability of a BCMAxCD3 bispecific antibody for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). This form of therapy redirects T-cells to myeloma cells, and is considered to be efficacious in newly diagnosed patients, heavily pre-treated patients, and patients that are refractory to all available therapies, including lenalidomide, pomalidomide and bortezomib. In the future, this drug may be considered for MM patients with detectable minimal residual disease (MRD) after transplant or reinduction therapy. This interview was recorded at the 23rd…

Treatments for multiple myeloma (MM) in newly diagnosed and relapsed patients differ between regions, particularly with the rapid advancements in treatment in recent years. Here, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, discusses how MM is treated in the US; highlighting the differences compared with Europe, as a European who now works in the US. Notably, the use of more drugs in combination; namely IMiDs, proteasome inhibitors and steroids, although four-agent regimens with the addition of a monoclonal antibody are in clinical trials. Dr Landgren also discusses the future of MM treatment in the US, with…

Timothy Hughes, MD, of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia, gives us an overview of the follow-up study of ENESTcmr. The ENESTop trial (NCT01698905) was designed to address whether deep molecular response in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) could be translated into treatment-free remission (TFR). Over 50% of patients who started on imatinib and had switched to nilotinib remained in TFR. This suggests that switching a patient onto a diffeent tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in order to achieve a deaper response, will eventually translate into acheiving higher rates of TFR. This video was recorded at the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association…

Ramon Garcia-Sanz, MD, PhD from the University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain, shares exciting data in Waldenströms macroglobulinemia (WM) from the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr Garcia-Sanz comments on the current limitations of treatments available for WM, including toxicities and the need for multiple agents. Novel BTK inhibitors hold promise for these patients, with ibrutinib in combination with rituximab showing positive results when compared to rituximab alone.

Very soon, minimal residual disease (MRD) testing will become a routine part of clinical practice. Therefore, it is important that clinicians understand when and how to use the tests for the optimal management of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. In this interview, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, describes when you can use MRD testing throughout the treatment journey in MM, in order to support clinical decision making and monitoring of response. This video was recorded during the 23rd congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Previous clinical trial investigations have established that daratumumab plus bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone, also known as dara+VMP, is significantly more effective than VMP alone in terms of response and progression-free survival in multiple myeloma (MM). Speaking from the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Niels van de Donk, MD, PhD, of VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, provides us with an update on the feasibility and tolerability of darazumumab, and explains how the drug can now be conveniently administered as a subcutaneous infusion, as well as to elderly patients.

Newer treatments for hematological malignancies, including immunotherapies and cellular therapies, are more targeted than historical chemotherapies. This means that the presence of the specific target is critical for the treatment to be efficacious. Speaking from the 3rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, discusses the predictive biomarkers that can be used to aid treatment decisions. He also comments on the potential reasons for the different responses between patients with the same biomarkers treated with the same drug.

The current treatment landscape of CML is at a very exciting time. Here, Timothy Hughes, MD, of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia, talks about the importance of achieving early molecular response (EMR) in the first 3 months. There is a direct link between the potency of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor used and its capacity to reduce EMR failure to a minimum. For example, in patients receiving imatinib, the chances of EMR failure is between 30-40%. More potent drugs, such as dasatinib and nilotinib, bring this down further. He goes on to explain that another important factor is the biology…

The combination of brentuximab vedotin and ESHAP has had positive results when used prior to autologous stem cell transplant in patients with refractory/relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma. Here, Ramon Garcia-Sanz, MD, PhD, from the University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain describes how this combination resulted in high complete remission rates and increased time to treatment failure in this challenging patient group. This interview was recorded at the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

The measurement and use of minimal residual disease (MRD) is an exciting development in the world of hematological oncology. So, what is MRD, how can it be measured, why is it important, and how can it be used in the clinic? Here, Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, discusses this exciting topic and answers these key questions surrounding its use. This video was recorded at the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

The 23rd congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, presented exciting data from multiple myeloma (MM) trials. In this interview, Niels van de Donk, MD, PhD, of VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, discusses the long-term results of the HOVON-50 study (NCT00028886), which investigated thalidomide/adriamycine/dexamethasone (TAD) followed by high-dose melphalan/ASCT and thalidomide maintenance therapy. This exciting study showed improved survival with thalidomide use prior to and following transplant.

A small proportion (~20%) of multiple myeloma (MM) patients are at a high risk of relapse and aggressive disease progression. Identification of these patients can lead to more informed, individualized treatment plans to improve the standard of care in both high- and low-risk patients. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Matthew Jenner, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK, discusses the MUK Nine trial (NCT03188172), which has shown that screening for gene copy abnormalities, adverse gene translocations and gene expression profiling…

CAR T-cells are gaining traction as a therapy for a variety of hematological malignancies. Here, Oliver Ottmann, MD, FRCPath, of Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, discusses their role in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. He outlines the toxicities associated with CAR T-cells, including neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome, and also discusses the potential role for CAR T-cells in ALL treatment. Finally, he touches upon the possibility of combining CAR T-cell therapy with bispecific antibodies, and the impact this combination would have on toxicity and efficacy.

Daratumumab is one of the most promising new therapies in multiple myeloma (MM). Here, Matthew Jenner, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK, discusses the impact that this drug has had in multiple treatment settings. He predicts future roles for daratumumab in MM, discussing how it is being tested beyond its initial niche in the relapsed/refractory setting, and how it is now being used as a frontline therapy. He emphasizes the positive future for daratumumab, saying it will demonstrate improvements in depth of response, measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity, and survival. This video was…

Lenalidomide monotherapy has proven to be an effective maintenance treatment for multiple myeloma (MM). Matthew Jenner, MBBS, MRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK, presented data from part of the Myeloma XI trial (NCT01554852), which aimed to compare vorinostat plus lenalidomide maintenance therapy with lenalidomide alone, at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. This study did not meet its primary endpoint of improving progression-free or overall survival in the vorinostat-lenalidomide arm, primarily because the toxicity of this combination proved too great for most patients to tolerate. Dr…

To determine the true impact of ibrutinib treatment in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) within a population-based setting rather than a clinical trial setting, Lina van der Straten, PhD, of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrect, Netherlands, outlines her collaboration with the Netherlands Cancer Registry, which allowed her to analyze patient survival over a prolonged period of time and draw some promising conclusions. Dr van der Straten presented these results at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Venetoclax is making headlines due to its effectiveness against many hematological cancers. In this video, Giovanni Martinelli, MD, of the Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo, Meldola, Italy, outlines how this drug is able to induce apoptosis in cancerous cells and how this has led to a recent breakthrough in drug development. Speaking at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held at Stockholm, Sweden, Prof. Martinelli refers to his previous work that described the different metabolic pathways of cancerous and normal cells, and mentions how this is the starting point of action of venetoclax. Finally, Prof. Martinelli touches upon…

Stem cell transplants are one of the most well-studied and effective therapies for blood cancers. In this video, Anna Sureda, MD, PhD, of the Catalan Institute of Oncology, Duran I Reynals Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, discusses the objectives and results of recent studies carried out in collaboration by the CIBMMTR-LC and the EMBT-LWP. Two different donors were used to source the stem cells, donors that were haploidentical to the patients and donors who were unrelated, and the results were compared with each other in terms of PFS, mortality and relapse rate. Although no conclusive evidence has been presented as of yet,…

John Leighton, MD, shares his thoughts on the headline Immunotherapy Now Standard for Some Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD, shares the advances in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Primo N. Lara, Jr., MD, explains how he decides which metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients should receive a TKI as 1st line therapy

Howard Hochster, MD, weighs in on the VALENTINO study regarding the effectiveness of maintenance 5FU/LV following FOLFOX + panitumumab induction in metastatic colorectal cancer patients

Eunice Wang, MD, shares the potential impact of gilteritinib as maintenance therapy after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

David I. Quinn, MD, talks about which metastatic RCC patients should receive a TKI as first-line therapy.

John Leighton, MD, explains shares the results of the PREOPANC-1 study and, resectable pancreatic cancer patients should recieve preoperative chemotherapy before surgery.

Mark Levis, MD, PhD, weighs in on the evolving treatment considerations for FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who have failed prior FLT3 TKI therapy.

Randall A. Oyer, MD, Dr. Oyer explains how ACCC is contributing to the work being done to address disparities in healthcare, including the implementation of the Optimal Care Coordination Model (OCCM) at Annual Meeting 2018.

Noa Biran, MD, discusses the impact of the BB2121 study in multiple myeloma patients and how the results compare to the standard of care at Annual Meeting 2018.

David I. Quinn, MD, explains discusses Keynote 427 for Pembrolizumab, PD-1 Inhibitor and CTLA4 with Nivolumab & Ipilimumab presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting.

Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD, talks about how tumor-sidedness impacts her colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment algorithms at Annual Meeting 2018.

Mark Levis, MD, PhD, shares his thoughts on the most exciting clinical trial data coming out of the 2018 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting.

Primo N. Lara, Jr., MD, explains how how checkpoint inhibitors figure into treatment algorithms for unresectable 1st line renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients at Annual Meeting 2018.

Howard Hochster, MD, explains the outcomes of the ECOG-7208 study in 2nd line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients at Annual Meeting 2018.

Eunice Wang, MD, talks about the impact of next-generation sequencing on treatment selection in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at Annual Meeting 2018.

Noa Biran, MD, shares her opinion on the most exciting clinical data presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting.

David I. Quinn, MD, shares his thoughts on the most interesting renal cell carcinoma (RCC) data being presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting.

After presenting the initial results of a study investigating the efficacy of ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) within a population-based setting, Lina van der Straten, PhD, of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, Netherlands, offers some explanations for these results. Dr van der Straten contrasts the difference in the initial health of the patients, followed by the differing levels of patient care between her study and those conducted as a part of clinical trials. Concluding her talk, Dr van der Straten discusses an interesting point about the prognosis of patients with anemia. This interview took place at the 23rd Congress…

Cancerous cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) utilize different metabolic pathways to normal cells. Using this difference in their biology, Giovanni Martinelli, MD, of the Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo, Meldola, Italy, explains how the discovery of two genes that, when mutated, contribute to this altered metabolic pathway and have led to the development of targeted drugs. Prof. Martinelli concludes the interview by stating that although the drugs are still in the early stages of clinical trials, the preliminary results have been very promising. This interview was recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held at Stockholm,…

Trends in the use of stem cell transplantation in relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma are currently being studied by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). In this interview, Anna Sureda, MD, PhD, of the Catalan Institute of Oncology, Duran I Reynals Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, summarizes the results that have been obtained so far by the Lymphoma Working Party of the EBMT, which have focused on both autologous and allogenic stem cell transplants. She puts a particular emphasis on allogenic transplants and draws attention to the advances that have been made with this line of therapy, before briefly…

The 23rd Congress of the European Hematological Association (EHA) 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden, saw many researchers presenting the newest data from their recent clinical trials. In this video, Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, of Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France, speaks about his highlights for multiple myeloma (MM), giving a critical overview of the data and their implications for the future of MM care. He includes: ARROW (NCT02412878), which has demonstrated that carfilzomib has a PFS benefit in once-weekly vs. twice-weekly dosing; OPTIMISMM (NCT01734928), which reported a PFS benefit from pomalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone in the relapsed/refractory setting; and a sub-group analysis of…

Since its approval in late 2014, ibrutinib has primarily been studied in clinical trials, such as RESONATE (NCT01578707), and in compassionate use programs. In this video, Lina van der Straten, PhD, of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, Netherlands, outlines a recent study that aims to determine the effect of ibrutinib on patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) within a population-based setting. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Dr van der Straten explains the key preliminary results from her initial study on a group of patients treated with ibrutinib between 2014-15,…

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who have relapsed has, to date, been quite difficult as there has been a notable lack of knowledge behind the cause of the changes leading to relapse. In this video, Giovanni Martinelli, MD, of the Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo, Meldola, Italy, discusses a recent revelation in the mechanisms behind AML relapse and what new advances this has led to. Prof. Martinelli refers specifically to the QuANTUM-R trial (NCT02039726) currently underway, which is investigating the effects of quizartinib on relapsed/refractory AML. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held…

While the current frontline ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) regimen for treating advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma is effective with manageable side effects, ~30% of patients eventually relapse. Anna Sureda, MD, PhD, of the Catalan Institute of Oncology, Duran I Reynals Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, speaks at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematological Association (EHA) 2018 held in Stockholm, Sweden, about the latest advances in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma. Dr Sureda emphasizes the use of PET scans to determine the intensity of treatment and discusses results of the ECHELON-1 trial (NCT01712490). Dr Sureda outlines how this trial highlighted the positives and…

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is currently treated with a regimen of drugs that, while effective to an extent, could be improved upon. In this interview, Giovanni Martinelli, MD, of the Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo, Meldola, Italy, talks about a recently developed drug, blinatumomab. While the data from the current clinical trial, D-ALBA (NCT02744768), has only recently become available, Prof. Martinelli is hopeful enfor this treatment. This interview took place at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

The purpose of the iNNOVATE study (NCT02165397) was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ibrutinib and rituximab for the treatment of Waldenströms macroglobulinemia (WM). Here, at the 23rd congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Meletios Dimopoulos, MD, from Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece, discusses the results of this Phase III trial. Dr Dimopoulos highlights how this trial has produced exciting results in terms of patient outcomes; surprisingly, most of all in high risk patient groups. Improvements for the future are then discussed, looking at treatment duration and other drug…

Pomalidomide combinations in randomized trials are generating exciting data for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Here, Meletios Dimopoulos, MD, from the Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece, provides insight into the ELOQUENT-3 (NCT02654132) and OPTIMISMM (NCT01734928) trials for patients who have failed proteosome inhibitor and immunomodulatory agent therapy, whilst also touching upon the future of treatment. Both of these trials compared different combinations and doses of pomalidomide and dexamethasone with either elotuzumab or bortezomib, resulting in great tolerability with few adverse events. This was recorded at the 23rd congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in…

Dr Laurie Sehn, of the BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada presents: ‘Answering the unmet need in one of the most common types of lymphoma: Its as simple as A-D-C’. Dr Sehn discusses the use of polatuzumab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL). Based on the trial results presented (NCT02257567), this ADC has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration and PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation by the European Medicines Agency for R/R DLBCL. This video was recorded at the 23rd congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018…

Gareth Morgan, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath, from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, gives a brief overview of the importance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in both research and the clinic, emphasizing that MRD testing should be more widely available and used. This video was recorded at the 23rd congress of European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Novel strategies are required to move from simply controlling multiple myeloma (MM), to overcoming it and acheiving long-term remissions in the majority of patients. Here, Gareth Morgan, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath, of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, discusses how we can design new strategies for unprecedented outcomes in MM. Dr Morgan discusses ‘synergistic casettes’ of treatment, that could be switched and used to overcome resistance. He also highlights other immuno-oncology agents, including IMiDs, CAR T-cells, bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates. Dr Morgan highlights the need for new endpoints in trials, in order to find improved…

Bruno Paiva, PhD, from the University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain, shares insights into multiple myeloma (MM) from the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, including the pathogenesis of the disease,and the role of the tumor microenvironment. Dr Paiva also discusses the novel therapies that are being introduced for the management of MM, such as immunomodulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies, and how these can be combined with existing treatments in the future.

Barbara Eichhorst, MD, from Uniklink Koln, Koln, Germany discusses the results of the recent Phase III CLL11 trial (NCT01998880). The CLL11 trial compared different chemoimmunotherapy combinations of chlorambucil, rituximab and obinutuzumab in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Dr Eichhorst highlights the promising results, including a significant overall survival benefit with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab. This video was recorded at the at the 23rd congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Barbara Eichhorst, MD, from Uniklink Koln, Koln, Germany, talks to us about exciting new data for the venetoclax and rituximab combination in the MURANO Phase III trial (NCT02005471) for relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Results published earlier this year presented positive results for progression-free and overall survival. Now, an update on response rates, particularly minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rates, have been released. Dr Eichorst discusses this data, which showed higher MRD negativity rates with venetoclax and rituximab therapy for both treatment arms.The recent approval of venetoclax plus rituximab leads to curiosity about how this will influence the sequence and…

In this interview with Arjan Diepstra, PhD, from the University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, speaking from the 23rd congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, gives a brief overview of the role of biomarkers in lymphoma. Dr Diepstra covers how they can be used to determine patient prognosis and influence clinical decisions. He highlights the TARC biomarker currently being used in Hodgkin lymphoma.

Treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is expanding to include several exciting new therapies. We spoke to Claire Harrison, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, about the most interesting therapies in the field at the moment. She discusses: JAK inhibitors like fedratinib and pacritinib; interferon both as a monotherapy and in combination with ruxolitinib; combination therapies with ruxolitinib and venetoclax, azacitidine or PI3K inhibitors; and MDM2 inhibitors like idasanutlin.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) has become a crucial part of treatment planning and prognosis construction in many hematological diseases; however, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), heterogeneity of disease has meant MRD has been difficult to quantify. Here, Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, of Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France, discusses recent progress in AML MRD research at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematological Association (EHA) 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden. He speaks about data showing the importance of MRD as a prognostic indicator in first complete remission, as well as studies showing the huge influence of MRD status on stem cell transplant outcome.…

Treating young patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) poses a unique set of challenges because treatment has to be effective for many years, and even decades. Matthew Davids, MD, MSc, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA spoke to us about these challenges at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Here, he discusses the risk of resistance mutations and toxicity when young patients are given long-term monotherapies, and points to combination therapies incorporating novel agents as the way forward in this patient group.

Claire Harrison, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK, presented updates and results from the MAJIC clinical trial (ISRCTN61925716) at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. This trial compares the efficacy of JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib with best available care in both essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). Promising results are coming from this study, with ruxolitinib appearing to yield deep, rapid responses, as well as a reduction in leukemic and myelofibrotic transformation. Dr Harrison also discusses molecular signatures associated with poor outcomes in ET, such as TP53…

Allogenic stem cell transplants are the only curative therapy available for several hematological diseases; however, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common complication of this procedure. The accepted first-line treatment for GvHD is corticosteroids, but patients who do not respond to this treatment generally have poor outcomes. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematological Association (EHA) 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden, Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, of Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France, speaks about a revolutionary second-line treatment for acute refractory GvHD: fecal transplants. He discusses the HERACLES trial (NCT03359980), and the important role of gut microbiome diversity in…

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment is experiencing a shift away from chemotherapy in favor of novel agents. FCR chemotherapy, however, has shown impressive responses, and even curative effects in young patients, especially those with IGHV mutations. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Matthew Davids, MD, MSc, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, speaks about a study combining novel agent duvelisib with FCR in young CLL patients (dFCR; NCT02158091). Dr Davids discusses the rationale behind the study, and the toxicities experienced. Finally, he points out the dramatic…

Treating myelofibrosis is accompanied by several complications that must be considered, including thrombocytopenia and anemia. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Claire Harrison, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK, speaks about how to address these challenges in myelofibrosis and other myeloproliferative neoplasms. She discusses how activin receptor antagonists like luspatercept can release the block on the terminal phases of erythropoiesis for anemia management, and how thrombocytopenia can be treated using combination therapies. Finally, she discusses how to identify disease progression in patients…

Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD, shares his thoughts on imaging as an effective solution for prostate cancer diagnosis at Annual Meeting 2018.

Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD, shares how nivolumab is being incorporated into metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment algorithms at Annual Meeting 2018.

Randall A. Oyer, MD, explains the immunotherapy data coming out of the Annual Meeting 2018 and the purpose of the ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute.

Mark Levis, MD, PhD, talks about new information about gilteritinib in FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at Annual Meeting 2018.

John Leighton, MD, explains whether tumor sidedness impacts colorectal cancer treatment algorithms at Annual Meeting 2018.

Ivo Abraham, PhD, RN, shares his thoughts on demonstrating the value of cancer care in today’s oncology landscape at Annual Meeting 2018.

Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD, talks about how MRI has improved the diagnosis of prostate cancer at Annual Meeting 2018.

Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD, shares her thoughts on the outcomes of the Checkmate 142 study looking ipilimumab and nivolumab in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients at Annual Meeting 2018.

Ivo Abraham, PhD, RN, shares his perspective on biosimilar pricing and reimbursement at Annual Meeting 2018.

Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP, explains what he might do in sequencing therapies as a result of Keynote 189 and Keynote 42 presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting.

John Leighton, MD, shares the outcomes of the Checkmate 142 study examining ipilimumab and nivolumab in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients at Annual Meeting 2018.

Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD, explains explains how to avoid under-diagnosing & over-diagnosing prostate cancer at Annual Meeting 2018.

Randall A. Oyer, MD, explains how ACCC is utilizing the data on genetics presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting.

Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD, talks about the patient type and setting where vemurafenib has been added to the NCCN guidelines for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients at Annual Meeting 2018

Mark Levis, MD, PhD, explains the impact of measurable residual disease in the clinical outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at Annual Meeting 2018

Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP, explains the significance of Keynote 42 from Annual Meeting 2018.

Ivo Abraham, PhD, RN, talks about biosimilars that are approved or close to approval at Annual Meeting 2018.

Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, explains the shortcomings of the RECIST study in measuring efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients at Annual Meeting 2018.

Monoclonal antibodies are an exciting theapeutic avenue for hematological cancers, including multiple myeloma (MM). Here, Niels van de Donk, MD, PhD, of VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands, provides an interesting perspective on the rise of monoclonal antibodies for relapsed/refractory MM, including daratumumab and elotuzumab. He discusses the important role of combination regimens, and how these are expanding response rates and patient survival to the point where they could become the next standard of care for MM. This interview took place at the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting, held in Turin, Italy.

There are an increasing amount of promising targeted therapies being investigated for multiple myeloma (MM). In this interview, Niels van de Donk, MD, PhD, from VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands, speaking from the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting, held in Turin, Italy, discusses techniques for progressing to durable tumor-free remission. Dr van de Donk describes the pros and cons of various antibody treatments, whilst highlighting the importance of using a tumor map for improving induction, consolidation and maintenance therapy.

The clinical significance of smoldering multiple myeloma (MM) is, as of recently, becoming much more important, especially in those patients who progress to MM quite rapidly. Speaking from the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting 2018, in Turin, Italy, Robert Kyle, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, explains just how important it is to monitor patients in the smoldering MM stage. Prof. Kyle emphasizes how, with careful monitoring, diagnostic rates of smoldering MM may even decrease if it progresses at the same rate of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), allowing to be caught early enough to monitor and…

The discovery of mutational events in cancer are crucial to the development of efficacious targeted therapies. Here, Steven Treon, MD, PhD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, passionately discusses the genomic advances in Waldenströms macroglobulinemia (WM), owing to the discovery of the MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations. Dr Treon highlights how these mutations have enabled better understanding of the different forms and metastatic progression of WM, aiding the development of targeted therapies that are revolutionizing the meaning of progression-free survival. This interview was recorded at the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting, in Turin, Italy.

Speaking from the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting 2018, held in Turin, Italy, Francesca Gay, MD, of the University of Turin, Turin, Italy, discusses the practical implications of immunomodulators as a form of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment, the effects of these drugs both in the short and long term, and how to manage their most common side effects. Dr Gay also refers to lenalidomide, currently administered to autologous transplant patients, before discussing the difficulties in determining whether treatment should be adjusted based on positive or negative measurable residual disease (MRD) status.

The progression of multiple myeloma (MM) can be monitored by determing what stage a patient is at; most notably, the monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering MM stages. In this interview, Robert Kyle, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, outlines the significance of these two stages and what they mean in terms of disease progression. Prof. Kyle emphasizes that patients positive for either of these two diseases must be closely monitored and describes how treatments, such as autologous stem cell transplant, may be administered in one of the early stages in an attempt to inhibit or at…

Relapse often leads to difficulties in MM treatment, as patients may have developed resistance to a previous therapy. While the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) provides some guidelines to determine what types of therapy are recommended for relapsed patients, Francesca Gay, MD, of University of Turin, Turin, Italy, explains why these guidelines may not always be suitable. Dr Gay mentions several criteria that must be considered when determining the first post-relapse course of treatment, and other side effects that these new treatments could lead to. This interview took place at the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting 2018, held…

The progression of multiple myeloma (MM) can be monitored by determing what stage a patient is at; most notably, the monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering MM stages. In this interview, Robert Kyle, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, outlines the significance of these two stages and what they mean in terms of disease progression. Prof. Kyle emphasizes that patients positive for either of these two diseases must be closely monitored and describes how treatments, such as autologous stem cell transplant, may be administered in one of the early stages in an attempt to inhibit or at…

Although there is a lot known about Waldenströms macroglobulinemia (WM), there is little understanding of the wild-type and IgM-related disorders. During this interview, Steven Treon, MD, PhD, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, highlights the lack of comprehension surrounding the pathogenesis of wild-type and IgM related WM. He emphasizes that in order to utilize our genomic knowledge, more research and studies need to be carried out to improve current therapies. This video was recorded at the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting, held in Turin, Italy.

Despite the constant research and drug development going on in the field of multiple myeloma (MM), a cure is still out of our reach. Speaking from the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting 2018, in Turin, Italy, Robert Kyle, MD, from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, explains how although treatments such as stem cell transplantation and combination therapy are quite effective, they are unable to truly eradicate the disease. However, Prof. Kyle concludes his interview by referring to the small percentage of patients who do manage to outlive the disease and hopes that these patients may be the first to…

While the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) provides guidelines for patient treatment after initial relapse, these are not always perfect. Speaking from the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting 2018, held in Turin, Italy, Francesca Gay, MD, of the University of Turin, Turin, Italy, outlines an example of how these recommendations do not apply to patients who have relapsed whilst under lenalidomide treatment. Instead, Dr Gay presents some alternative options for therapy in these patients and mentions why there is a need for new strategies in the treatment of patients who have relapsed under lenalidomide in particular.

Robert Kyle, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, talks about examples of new therapies that are currently under development and investigation for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Prof. Kyle puts a particular emphasis on CAR T-cell therapy, before mentioning several drugs that have been introduced and used in MM treatment over the course of the past 15 years. This interview took place at the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting 2018, in Turin, Italy.

The therapeutic potential for Waldenströms macroglobulinemia (WM) is widening, with our growing understanding and knowledge of the genetics behind this disease. In this interview at the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting, held in Turin, Italy, Steven Treon, MD, PhD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, reviews the current and prospective therapies available for WM. He highlights the exciting work being done with BTK inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, including acalabrutinib, venetoclax and daratumumab, which are advancing the repertoire of targeted therapies.

Although multiple myeloma (MM) has been known to physicians since the 1840s, effective treatments were not developed until much later. Speaking from the 1st European Myeloma Network (EMN) Meeting 2018, held in Turin, Italy, Robert Kyle, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, gives a brief outline of the history of 150 years of MM therapy development, starting from the first recorded treatment of a boy in the early 1840s and concluding with the present day. Prof. Kyle highlights key stages in the progression of treatment, beginning with the application of leeches and making several notable mentions of drugs, such…

Stephen Devereux, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK gives his highlights from the the British Society for Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, in Liverpool, UK. He discusses the importance of colleagues from different areas of hematology interacting, including those who focus on both non-malignant and malignant areas. He briefly discusses updates within the field of hematological oncology, including exciting progress with CAR T-cells.

There has been a multitude of novel, exciting therapies within the field of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), explains Stephen Devereux, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. At the British Society for Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, in Liverpool, UK, Prof. Devereux discusses the CLARITY trial (ISCRTN13751862), exploring a combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax, and the promise that this may in the future result in a curative therapy for certain patients.

The tumor microenvironment is an important therapeutic consideration. Here, Stephen Devereux, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, discusses how cell-cell interactions between malignant cells and healthy cells is pivotal to helping or haltering tumor growth. He describes a practical example, in which therapeutic manipulation of the tumor microenvironment has led to new treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in the case of B-cell receptor pathway inhibitors. Prof. Devereux also highlights the key challenge to overcome in this area. This video was recorded at the British Society for Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, in…

New genetic sequencing techniques could yield profound insights into disease progression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Niamh Appleby, MB, BAO, BCh, MRCPI, FRCPath, from the University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, spoke to us at the British Society for Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Liverpool, UK, about her future study, which aims to link genetic profiles of tumor cells with overall trends in disease progression in monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and early stage CLL. Clonal B-cells, non-tumor lymphocytes and cell-free (cf)DNA will be collected, along with quality of life data, over a 5 year period in order to…

Speaking from the British Society for Haematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Liverpool, UK, Niamh Appleby, MB, BAO, BCh, MRCPI, FRCPath, from the University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, discusses key challenges in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as well as prospects for advancements in treatment. Progression of CLL can vary greatly; however, new genetic techniques, such as whole genome sequencing and targeted deep sequencing, have great potential for identifying how early stage disease might progress, allowing more targeted treatment.

The 2018 European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Annual Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, proved to be an exciting congress with >5,000 delegates in attendance – the highest attendance to date. Here, Tony Pagliuca, MBBS, MA, FRCP, FRCPath, from Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, highlights the importance of bringing together healthcare professionals with patients during meetings such as EBMT. Prof. Pagliuca outlines his meeting highlights, including transplantation in myelodysplastic syndrome and while utilizing CAR T-cell therapy. Several sessions focused on CAR T-cell therapy for a range of malignancies, including the presentation of data from the CALM…

Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD, shares how how nivolumab is being incorporated into metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment algorithms at Annual Meeting 2018.

Mark Levis, MD, PhD, explains the key factors influencing 1st line therapy in acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients with FLT3 mutations at Annual Meeting 2018.

Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP, shares his thoughts on the continuation of pemetrexed maintenance after treatment of the patient with carboplatin, pemetrexed and pembrolizumab at Annual Meeting 2018.

Jennie Crews, MD, MMM, FACP, talks about key initiatives for the ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute at Annual Meeting 2018

Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, explains the outcomes of the CELESTIAL study from Annual Meeting 2018.

Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD, shares her thoughts on immunotherapy in colorectal cancer at Annual Meeting 2018.

Mark Levis, MD, PhD, explains the the impact of next-generation sequencing in AML at Annual Meeting 2018.

Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP, explains the results of Keynote 189, PDL-1 expression and patient selection at Annual Meeting 2018.

David R. Gandara, MD, talks about the benefits of using Cyramza® (ramucirumab) plus docetaxel verus docetaxel alone in 2nd line NSCLC at Annual Meeting 2018.

Ivo Abraham, PhD, RN, shares his thoughts on demonstrating the value of cancer care in today’s oncology landscape at Annual Meeting 2018.

Jennie Crews, MD, MMM, FACP, discusses the mission of the ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute at Annual Meeting 2018.

Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, explains how immunotherapies should be combined with TKIs at Annual Meeting 2018.

David R. Gandara, MD, explains drug sequencing as a result of Keynote 189 and 42 results at Annual Meeting 2018.

Tomasz M. Beer, MD, explains how immunotherapy is being integrated into CRPC treatment algorithms at Annual Meeting 2018.

Ivo Abraham, PhD, RN, explains the key characteristics of a biosimilar at Annual Meeting 2018.

Jennie Crews, MD, MMM, FACP, talks about how community oncology is interpreting and incorporating biomarkers into their immuno-oncology therapeutic choices

Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, talks about the latest in systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at the 2018 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting

Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH, talks about whether the results of the TAILORx study in HR+, HER2-, node-negative, intermediate 21-gene recurrence score patients are practice changing at Annual Meeting 2018.

Tomasz M. Beer, MD, explains how immunotherapy is being integrated into CRPC treatment algorithms at Annual Meeting 2018.

Joan Schiller, MD, talks about the Keynote trials presented and whether they will impact her choice of therapy for squamous or non-squamous lung cancer patients at the Annual Meeting 2018 Annual Meeting.

David R. Gandara, MD, explains what will change about patient selection as a result of Keynote 42 at Annual Meeting 2018.

Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH, talks about the TAILORx study in HR+, HER2-, node-negative, intermediate 21-gene recurrence score patients, means endocrine therapy alone is similar in efficacy to chemoendocrine therapy

Jeanny B. Aragon-Ching, MD, FACP, share the impact of the PROSPER and SPARTAN clinical trials at Annual Meeting 2018.

Although clinical trials provide us with an abundance of useful data, some of this may not be optimal for application to clinical practice, discusses Mick Peake, MD, of the University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. Much of the data we depend on is derived from clinical trials, which often have strict entry criteria, excluding a multitude of people that are seen in day to day clinical practice; for example, individuals with co-morbidities. Thus, Prof. Peake notes that evidence for the efficacy of treatments in the real world is lacking, meaning we may be doing more harm than good in some cases.…

Mick Peake, MD, of the University of Leicester, Leicester, UK, discusses the Collaboration for Oncology Data in Europe (CODE); an integrative effort to broaden our knowledge of anti-cancer drugs. He holds hope that CODE will provide us with information regarding the effectiveness of treatments for certain patients, improving patient outcomes and helping us to evaluate cancer treatments cost-efficiently. Finally, Prof. Peake shares his hopes that we can move towards a more integrative attitude to cancer treatment overall, focusing on pharmaceutical treatment in a broader context as opposed to a sole contributor of disease progression. This video was recorded at the…

In this video, Mick Peake, MD, of the University of Leicester, Leicester, UK, notes the importance of collating information regarding the quality and outcomes of practice, noting a deficit of this within the field of medicine. He discusses the National Lung Cancer Audit (NLCA), which focuses on not only collecting data, but engaging medical oncology professionals in the long term. Prof. Peake notes how data is shifting from simple numerical statistics to more complex discussions surrounding treatment options and disease stages – he hopes that in the future we will be able to utilize the large amount of data we…

Tomasz M. Beer, MD, explains how immunotherapy is being integrated into CRPC treatment algorithms at Annual Meeting 2018.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, explains the benefits of using ramucirumab plus docetaxel in 2nd line NSCLC at Annual Meeting 2018.

David R. Gandara, MD, talks about continuing pemextrexed maintenance

Jeanny B. Aragon-Ching, MD, FACP, discusses the 2nd line treatment options in RCC after I-O failure at Annual Meeting 2018.

Tomasz M. Beer, MD, talks about how the the PROSPER (enzalutamide) and SPARTAN (apalutamide) studies in non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer are impacting standard of care at Annual Meeting 2018.

Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH, the fulvestrant + ribociclib arm of the MONALEESA-3 study

Joan Schiller, MD, shares the validity of Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) as a biomarker at Annual Meeting 2018.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, talks about drug sequencing as a result of Keynote 189 and 42 results at Annual Meeting 2018.

Jeanny B. Aragon-Ching, MD, FACP, discusses how checkpoint inhibitors figure into the treatment algorithms for unresectable 1st line renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients at Annual Meeting 2018.

Tomasz M. Beer, MD, discusses the latest trends in the multimodality treatment of prostate cancer at Annual Meeting 2018.

David R. Gandara, MD, explains whether Keynote 189 impacted view of PDL-1 expression and patient selection at Annual Meeting 2018.

Joan Schiller, MD, shares Keynote trials & the influence on choice of therapy from Annual Meeting 2018.

Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH, talks about whether CDK4/6 inhibitors can be used interchangeably at Annual Meeting 2018.

Robert A. Figlin, MD, explains the convenience factor of oral TKIs & treatment decisions in advanced RCC

Celestia S. Higano, MD, shares new data being presented for metastatic CRPC at Annual Meeting 2018.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, discusses if patient selection will change as a result of Keynote 42

Jeanny B. Aragon-Ching, MD, FACP, explains reliable molecular markers that can help identify high-risk muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients who should receive neoadjuvant therapy.

Tomasz M. Beer, MD, explains how to avoid under diagnosing and over diagnosing prostate cancer

David R. Gandara, MD, shares exciting new developments in lung cancer

Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH shares the MONARCH 2 study in pre and peri-menopausal ER+, HER2- breast cancer patients

Gary D. Steinberg, MD, explains whether FGFR inhibitors in metastatic bladder cancer have the potential to be practice changing.

Tomasz M. Beer, MD, explains the central themes regarding prostate cancer.

Jeanny B. Aragon-Ching, MD, FACP, discusses how new guidelines have changed the treatment of advanced metastatic bladder cancer.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, shares his thoughts on whether to continue pemetrexed maintenance after successful treatment of the patient with carboplatin / pemetrexed / embrolizumab.

Celestia S. Higano, MD, shares her thoughts on how immunotherapy is currently being integrated into castrate resistant prostate cancer treatment algorithms.

Edgardo S. Santos, MD, FACP, explains the benefits of docetaxel plus ramucirumab versus docetaxel alone during 2nd line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Joan Schiller, MD, shares her thoughts regarding the results of Keynote 42 presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting and how it might impact patient selection.

Treatment options for gynecological cancers have become more effective and diverse in the last few decades. In this video, Marcia Hall, MBBS, PhD, FRCP, of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Hertfordshire, UK, gives an overview of these developments, as well as her perspective on the current state and future of gynecological cancer care, at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018, held in Liverpool, UK. She dsicusses how increased understanding of disease complexity and pathology, in combination with the development of new pharmaceutical and targeted therapies, has transformed gyneocological cancer prognoses, meaning an increasing number of patients can either…

Only a small minority of prostate cancer patients benefit from immunotherapy. Gerhardt Attard, MD, PhD, FRCP, of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, spoke to us at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018 in Liverpool, UK about the need for biomarker screening to determine which patients should be given immunotherapeutic agents. He discusses the NEPTUNES study (NCT03061539), which will select patients to receive a combination therapy of two immune checkpoint inhibitors according to a set of biomarkers: mismatch repair deficiency, defective DNA repair and a high inflammatory infiltrate level. The goal of this study is to accurately identify…

Speaking at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018, held in Liverpool, UK, Dr Woolmore, Initiative Lead, Collaboration for Oncology Data in Europe (CODE), points to the advantage of congresses like the UK OF, which bring together an international audience of practicing oncologists; the exact group that CODE can serve. Dr Woolmore mentions that the innovative, broad approach taken by CODE is patient-centric, which aligns with goals of the UK OF.

Immunotherapy has huge potential for treating a wide variety of cancer types. In this video, recorded at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018, held in Liverpool, UK, Peter Johnson, MA, MD, FRCP, of the University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, discusses the newly opened Centre for Cancer Immunology in Southamphton, and the ground-breaking research being conducted there. Specifically, Prof. Johnson discusses the complexity of immune responses to cancer, and his ex vivo research that examines tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from patients undergoing immunotherapy treatments in order to comprehend this complexity. He also discusses the direction he believes this research will take in the…

The RANGO project aims to create a database for rare gynecological tumors in order to facilitate improved disease understanding and future care. In this video, recorded at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018, held in Liverpool, UK, Marcia Hall, MBBS, PhD, FRCP, of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Hertfordshire, UK, speaks about some of the logistical processes and considerations for setting up such a program, including international collaborations, data collection, and the incorporation of clinical trials for the treatment of certain tumor types.

The molecular signatures of tumor cells are often used to select patients for clinical trial recruitment. In this video, Gerhardt Attard, MD, PhD, FRCP, of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, speaks about a discussion session held at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018 in Liverpool, UK, which explored the challenges associated with different sampling methods for prostate cancer, including tumor and liquid biopsies. While tumor biopsies are highly invasive and often do not yield enough cancer cells, liquid biopsies, though easy and repeatable, include normal DNA and cells which must be accounted for. Dr Attard concludes that…

Much of the focus for immunotherapy research is on the cancers for which it works best, such as Hodgkin lymphoma and lung cancer. Elaine Vickers, BMedSc, PhD, from Science Communicated Ltd, Manchester, UK, gave a talk at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018, held in Liverpool, UK, about the current state of immunotherapy research in certain cancer types that are often overlooked in this area: bowel, breast and prostate cancer. In this video, Dr Vickers gives an overview of this talk, discussing current immunotherapy options for these common solid tumor types, and suggesting avenues for future research.

Collaboration for Oncology Data in Europe (CODE) is a collaborative network that aims to promote the sharing of research data by collaborators worldwide. In this interview, Ashley Woolmore, Initiative Lead for CODE, explains the benefits that CODE can offer to collaborators, including the provision of data analysis tools and an infrastructure to share data within the scientific community. Speaking at the UK Oncology Forum (OF) 2018, held in Liverpool, UK, Dr Woolmore explains that this collaboration allows clinicians who are treating comparable patient groups with similar malignancy types to understand each others practice. By combining the knowledge of the scientific…

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is gaining traction not only as a prognostic indicator, but also as a tool for informing treatment plans. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Fabio Guolo, MD, of the University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, speaks about his recent project that attempted to link MRD status prior to allogenic stem cell transplant with patient outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The results of this study indicated that MRD status is a better predictor for treatment success than any other risk factor, such as age…

Quality of life and symptom data are essential for informing treatment plans as a clinician, as Esther Oliva, MD, of the Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy, discusses at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. As of yet, there is no specific instrument for collecting such data from patients with hematological malignancies. Dr Oliva gives an overview of the content and potential for a specific instrument such as this, and outlines why such a resource is needed.

CAR T-cell therapy has been established as an effective treatment option for a range of hematological cancers. In this video, Wojciech Jurczak, MD, PhD, from Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, explains how the accessibility to this revolutionary treatment is limited for two key reasons. Prof. Jurczak notes that although limitations are present, he hopes that the European Medicines Agency can register CAR T-cell therapy in the near future as a first therapy of choice for many hematological cancers. This video was recorded the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

The drive to find treatment options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with lower toxicities means clinicians are relying less and less on chemotherapy. Here, William Wierda, MD, PhD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses this trend at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Stockholm, Sweden. He explains that patients with mutations in the Ig heavy chain gene are the only group who routinely receive FCR chemotherapy at this point, and discusses the small molecule inhibitor and anti-CD20 antibody combination therapies that have helped to make chemotherapy redundant. Dr Wierda also highlights the data…

Paolo Ghia, MD, of the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, presented preliminary data from the Phase II CAPTIVATE trial (NCT02910583) at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. This trial combined ibrutinib and venetoclax in the frontline treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), with the aim of yielding deeper responses than current standard therapies. Dr Ghia discusses the promising data from the trial, with 86% of patients reaching MRD negativity, and the treatment being as well tolerated as standard monotherapies.

Social media has become increasingly relevant in the field of healthcare, both from the perspective of patients seeking the newest information about their disease, and from the point of view of healthcare professionals wanting to keep up to date with the most recent research. We interviewed Naveen Pemmaraju, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, at the 23rd Congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, about his thoughts on social media and its impact on the field of medicine.

Iron-deficiency anemia is an extremely common form of anemia. Here, Maria Domenica Cappellini, MD, of the University of Milan-Foundation IRCCS Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy, speaks about different techniques for addressing iron deficiency, at the 23rd Congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. She discusses oral iron supplements and the difficulties caused by their slow efficacy period, as well as new agents such as ferric carboxymaltose, which can be administered intravenously.

While treatment for follicular lymphoma (FL) has improved in recent years, allowing most patients to have good outcomes, there remains a small subset of patients who experience disease progression within 24 months of chemoimmunotherapy. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, John Seymour, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Victoria, Australia, discusses the importance of identifying and treating these high risk patients. He gives an overview of existing prognostic indices, including FLIPI, FLIPI2 and the PRIMA prognostic index, as well as newer, more accurate methods…

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is usually fairly non-aggressive; however, there remain certain patients who have a rapidly progressing disease and require effective treatment. Currently, chemotherapy is the standard treatment for aggressive CLL, but there has been a recent influx of highly effective novel agents with the potential to replace chemotherapy, as Guy Pratt MD, FRCP, FRCPath, of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK, explains at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr Pratt gives an overview of these novel therapies: ibrutinib, venetoclax and idelalisib, and discusses the promising results…

Phase III trials EMN441 (NCT01091831) and EMN01 (NCT01093196) both investigated progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and time to next treatment, in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients given maintenance therapy of either lenalidomide and prednisone (RP), or lenalidomide alone (R). Francesca Gay, MD, from the Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy, spoke about the results from a meta-analysis of these trials at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. This analysis showed that despite a trend towards improved PFS for RP therapy, overall PFS, OS, and…

Fabio Guolo, MD, of the University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, spoke to us at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, about how measurable residual disease (MRD) can be used to inform treatment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He uses acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as an example, where using MRD to inform allocation of allogenic stem cell transplants has drastically improved patient outcomes, and emphasizes the potential for a similar application in AML, though the use of MRD in AML is still a few steps behind that in ALL.

There are several genetic instruments available to measure the impact of Gaucher Disease (GD) on a patients quality of life, but no specific measure by which patients can report this information themselves. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Esther Oliva, MD, of the Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy, discusses her project to design such an instrument in order to help clinicians gain a more in-depth understanding of the impact of GD on patients and inform their treatment plan.

Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, David Marks, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPath, of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK, discusses the newest and most promising targeted ALL therapies. Prof. Marks discusses blinatumomab, which has shown impressive results in establishing MRD negativtiy, and CAR T-cells, which may offer the hope of long-term survival to patients who were previously considered to be incurable.

There are currently no concrete guidelines for how to use measurable residual disease (MRD) status to inform treatment decisions in multiple myeloma (MM). In this video, recorded at the 23rd congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Bruno Paiva, PhD, of the University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain, gives his opinion on how MRD should be utilized in routine clinical practice for MM. Dr Paiva emphasizes the use of MRD as one of a suite of diagnostic and prognostic tests that should be carried out, saying it should be used to inform clinicians overall understanding of…

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is arguably the most useful single prognostic tool we have within the field of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), discusses Anthony Moorman, PhD, of Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK. Prof. Moorman suggests that an essential component of using MRD effectively to treat patients is assessing it at specific timepoints which varies depending on treatment protocol. Importantly, we can vastly enhance the prognostic ability of MRD in predicting relapse by combining our knowledge with genetics, in order to define genetic threshold adjustments. This interview took place at the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm,…

The RELEVANCE study (NCT01476787) looks at the ‘R-squared’ regimen that combines lenalidomide and rituximab for the treatment of follicular lymphoma. Here, Wojciech Jurczak, MD, PhD, from Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, describes the outcomes of the trial, and makes a case for obinutuzumab in place of rituximab, in hope of demonstrating superiority over current first-line therapies. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Prof. Jurczak discusses other upcoming combinations with immunotherapeutic agents, particularly lenolidamide and CC-122, which increases the potency of T-cell signaling. Prof. Jurczak also touches upon the current and future…

The management of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a complex and difficult issue. We interviewed William Wierda, MD, PhD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, on the subject at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Stockholm, Sweden. He discusses a presentation that he gave at the congress, where he used a case study of a relapsed patient 4 years post-remission with FCR chemotherapy. In this presentation, he contrasted past remission treatment options like classical chemoimmunotherapy and lenalidomide-based therapies with more modern treatments like BTK and BCL2 inhibitors. While BTK inhibitors often have to…

In this video, Raul Cordoba, MD, PhD, outlines the pre-clinical studies that are occurring at the Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain, including baseline analysis of patients immune systems to assess absolute lymphocyte counts, as well as CD3, CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets, in order to predict the outcome of treating elderly patients with immunotherapy. This could help identify predictive factors of outcome in elderly patients, thus minimizing the chance of adverse complications. This video was recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Biomarker screening has become an essential component of constructing treatment plans in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Paolo Ghia, MD, of the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy, discusses three key tests that he thinks are essential for the proper management of CLL. These tests examine the presence/absence of 17p deletions, and P53 mutations and Ig mutations. Dr Ghia demonstrates the importance of these tests by explaining what they can tell us about treatment. Patients with 17p deletions or P53 mutations will…

Eliminating high toxicity, invasive treatments like chemotherapy and stem cell transplant is a goal of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) research. Here, Oliver Ottmann, MD, FRCPath, of Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK speaks from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, about small molecule novel therapies in the context of ALL. He discusses the great potential for combination therapies, using novel agents alongside immunotherapies like monoclonal antibodies and CAR T-cells, in order to reduce and eventually eradicate the need for chemotherapy and stem cell transplants in the future.

Overexpression of CD123 is associated with a number of hematological malignancies, including myelofibrosis and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Data was presented at the 23rd Congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, exploring the impact of novel agent SL-401, which targets CD123, in both of these diseases, as Naveen Pemmaraju, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, explains in this video. Dr Pemmaraju discusses why such a novel therapy is needed and the positive response rates displayed by patients, as well as the complications often associated with this treatment. Finally, he…

There has been an influx of novel agents in the field of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in recent years. These include venetoclax, ibrutinib and obinutuzumab. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Michael Hallek, PhD, of CECAD Cologne, Cologne, Germany, discusses how these novel agents have transformed CLL treatment. He emphasizes the huge potential for novel agent combination therapies to improve the future treatment of CLL, pointing out incredible response and MRD negativity rates from recent clinical trials.

Thalassemia is caused by defects in either ? or ? globin chains, which are required for formation of functional hemoglobin molecules. Maria Domenica Cappellini, MD, of the University of Milan-Foundation IRCCS Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy, spoke to us at the 23rd Congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, about new treatments that seek to re-establish the balance between ? and ? chains to reduce ineffective erythropoiesis. Techniques for achieving these aims include: genome editing to increase production of fetal hemoglobin; correcting ineffective erythropoiesis using ACE inhibitors; and gene therapy.

The selective proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib has previously shown efficacy in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) for relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). From the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Katja Weisel, MD, from University Hospital Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany, presents updates on the ASPIRE trial (NCT01080391), a Phase III study that demonstrated that carfilzomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) improved not just PFS, but overall survival as well. Prof. Weisel also provides updates on the POLLUX (NCT02076009) and CASTOR (NCT02136134) twin Phase III trials, which investigated daratumumab combinations across different risk groups, showing…

Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, John Seymour, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Victoria, Australia, discusses the last year in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research, as well as his predictions for the direction the field will take in the future. He speaks about the importance of observation over treatment in early stage, asymptomatic, low tumor burden patients, as well as the use of measurable residual disease (MRD) as both a therapeutic endpoint and as a measure of clinical trial efficacy. Finally, he explores the much-discussed topic…

The 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, saw many researchers reporting their most recent clinical trial data. Here, Hareth Nahi, MD, of the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, gives an overview of the current studies being carried out by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group. These studies include: combination therapy with carfilzomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM); combination therapy with ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed MM; and the role of PET-CT scanning in MM. Finally, Dr Nahi discusses the potential for collaboration across different study groups, as facilitated by large…

Although treatments for multiple myeloma (MM) are constantly improving, ~25% of patients still have poor outlooks. We spoke to Guy Pratt, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK, about these high risk patients at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr Pratt discusses the MUK Nine b trial (NCT03188172), which aims to genetically identify high risk patients and treat them with a combination therapy of bortezomib, daratumamab and lenalidomide. The results of this trial will be compared to those of the Myeloma XI trial (NCT01554852) to…

BCL-2 inhibitors like ibrutinib and venetoclax have been used in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) for long enough that mid-term effects of the agents can be analyzed. In this interview, Francesco Forconi, MD, DM, PhD, FRCPath, from the University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, discusses what we know at this stage at the 23rd Congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Results are promising for using these molecules, either as single agents or in combination with anti-CD20 antibodies or BTK inhibitors.

The prognosis for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) is usually poor. In this video, Francesca Gay, MD, from the Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy, discusses the results from a Phase Ib/II clinical trial (NCT02056756), which explored the efficacy of a combination carfilzomib, dexamethasone and bendamustine (KBd) therapy in heavily pre-treated relapsed MM patients. While this treatment regimen was effective, Dr Gay discusses the issues associated with treating such a high-risk patient group, including the necessity for infection prophylaxis to address lymphopenia. This interview took place at the 23rd Congress of the European…

MOR208 is an anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody that has been effective in treating a range of lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Here, Wojciech Jurczak, MD, PhD, from Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, provides an update on the ongoing COSMOS trial (NCT02639910), a study of MOR208 in combination with idelalisib or venetoclax in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have been pretreated with a BTK inhibitor, such as ibrutinib. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Prof. Jurczak describes the two arms of the COSMOS trial, and the promise of the…

There are promising results from a variety of studies implicating CAR T-cells in relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. Here, William Wierda, MD, PhD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses the results from the Phase I CAR T-cell trial ZUMA-3 (NCT02614066) at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Stockholm, Sweden. These data show no difference in outcome or toxicity between patients who had previously been treated with blinatumomab and patients with other prior therapies. Dr Wierda gives an overview of the generally very positive results of the trial, which boasted 70% complete remission…

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is becoming increasingly important as a prognostic indicator in a wide variety of hematological malignancies. We interviewed Florence Cymbalista, PhD, from the Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France, about her recent projects that used a highly sensitive MRD detection in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated with FCR chemotherapy. She speaks about the importance of detecting MRD at fine resolutions, since sensitive detection of MRD in the blood implies MRD in the bone marrow, thereby saving the patient an invasive biopsy. This video was recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm,…

Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Fabio Guolo, MD, of the University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, discusses misconceptions around measurable residual disease (MRD). He emphasizes that an MRD negative status does not mean that there is no chance of relapse, and that MRD status depends strongly on the methods used to detect it. Finally, he discusses the importance of timing in extrapolating prognoses from MRD testing, pointing out that an MRD negative status has better prognostic implications when achieved earlier on in the treatment pathway.

Treatments for low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) cannot cure the disease, but rather aim to improve quality of life, reduce complications and increase overall survival by reducing cytopenia. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Esther Oliva, MD, of the Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy, discusses new treatment options for low-risk MDS. Therapies include: epoetin alfa for stimulating erythropoiesis; lenalidomide for modulating the immune system; luspatercept for correcting ring sideroblasts; and eltrombopag for treating severe thrombocytopenia.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disorder which may result in excessive bleeding or bruising due to abnormally low levels of platelet cells, leading to potentially fatal consequences. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Wojciech Jurczak, MD, PhD, from Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, explores the potential of the thrombopoietin receptor agonist avatrombopag for the treatment of ITP, particularly in patients with liver cirrhosis who are facing surgery. Initial results have shown promising efficacy with a good side effect profile, and so Prof. Jurczak believes that this drug…

The development of novel agents for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has transformed the field in recent years. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Stockholm, Sweden, William Wierda, MD, PhD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, speaks about the most promising novel agents on the scene. He includes: PI3K inhibitors; checkpoint inhibitors and their use for combatting Richters transformation; reversible BTK inhibitors; and cellular strategies like CAR T-cells. He also discusses an upcoming clinical trial, which will combine checkpoint inhibitors, CTLA-4 antibodies, and PD-1 antibodies for CLL therapy.

Inotuzumab ozogamicin has shown extremely promising results in clinical trials for treatment of relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). There are, however, still issues with legislation in several EU countries which prevent its widespread use, as David Marks, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPath, of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK, explains at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Prof. Marks speaks about future goals for inotuzumab therapy, and discusses the trials that are needed to establish this treatment.

The development of novel agents to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is constantly revolutionizing the field. In this video, Christoph Röllig, MD, of the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany, speaks about his highlights from the novel agent discussions held at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. These vary from new immunotherapeutic treatments to FLT3 inhibitors, to small molecules like venetoclax and glasdegib, all of which have yielded positive results in clinical trials.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is used as a prognostic indictor in a variety of hematological maliganancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). We asked Bruno Paiva, PhD, of the University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain, about common misconceptions amongst clinicians when it comes to using MRD as a prognostic marker for MM at the 23rd congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr Paiva discusses why patients are often misclassified as MRD-negative, as well as why MRD status should be treated as a simple biomarker that is complemented by other information.

We should move away from using risk factors as individual binary variables within acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) research, suggests Anthony Moorman, PhD, of Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK, at the 23rd congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Using variables such as age, measurable residual disease (MRD) status and white cell count as aggregated continuous variables gives us more information in order to predict relapse, allowing us to develop numeric risk scores. Prof. Moorman notes that this prognostic index has been validated in a separate cohort from the discovery cohort, presenting with a similar distribution. This prognostic…

The European Hematology Association (EHA) Scientific Working Group on Aging and Hematology released a new edition about geriatric oncology. Here, Raul Cordoba, MD, PhD, from the Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain, discusses reviewing the editions safety and efficacy data on immunotherapy for treating elderly patients with lymphoma. While patient enrollment was low, meaning that results are inconclusive, there are positive signs of treatment efficacy. Speaking at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Dr Cordoba points out that there are increased cases of adverse immune response events in older patients, and…

Paolo Ghia, MD, of the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy, is the president of the European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC), and he spoke to us at the 23rd Congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, about some of the newest chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research facilitated by ERIC. These studies include: exploring the benefit of second-line bendamustine and rituximab; and examining the prevalence of BTK and PLCG2 mutations in patients relapsing on ibrutinib. Dr Ghia also discusses the work done by ERIC to demonstrate the importance of incorporating P53 and Ig gene analysis into…

The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is expanding. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Oliver Ottmann, MD, FRCPath, of Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, discusses results from recent research in this field. He discusses data from an old study showing that the TKI imatinib achieved better remission rates and is was more well tolerated than standard chemotherapy. Similarly, more recent studies have demonstrated that induction treatment with TKIs can almost eradicate the need for chemotherapy. Finally, Prof. Ottmann discusses the use of…

Blastic plasmocytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematological malignancy typically associated with poor patient outcomes. Naveen Pemmaraju, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, presented results from an ongoing clinical trial (NCT02268253) exploring the use of SL-401, an agent that targets CD123, for the treatment of BPDCN at the 23rd Congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr Pemmaraju gives an overview of the extremely positive overall response rates in both the frontline and relapsed/refractory settings, as well as listing the side effects of the therapy. Finally, he…

The CLL11 trial (NCT01998880) compared chlorambucil monotherapy with combination therapies of chlorambucil and anti-CD20 antibodies rituximab or obinutuzumab for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Michael Hallek, PhD, of CECAD Cologne, Cologne, Germany, presented the final follow-up results from this trial at the 23rd Congress of the European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. These results showed a surprising improvement in overall survival with obinutuzumab/chlorambucil compared to rituximab/chlorambucil, suggesting that obinutuzumab confers a survival benefit even in high-risk patients with multiple comorbidities. Prof. Hallek points to obinutuzumab as the new standard of care for…

Transfusion-dependent thalassemia demands regular and time-consuming treatment, with patients requiring blood transfusions every few weeks, and for the iron that accumulates as a result of these transfusions to be removed to prevent organ damage. In this interview, which took place at the 23rd Congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Maria Domenica Cappellini, MD, of the University of Milan-Foundation IRCCS Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy, speaks to us about exciting new iron chelating agents such as deferasirox, which can be taken orally as opposed to via a subcutaneous pump. Using these new agents has been shown to…

Novel agent combination therapies are coming to the forefront of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) research. Here, William Wierda, MD, PhD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses a few key combination therapy trials that are happening at the moment at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Stockholm, Sweden. He speaks about the CAPTIVATE trial (NCT02910583), which combines ibrutinib and venetoclax for previously untreated CLL, and has achieved outstanding remission rates and MRD negativity in the frontline setting. He also touches upon CLL14 (NCT02242942), which combines venetoclax and obinituzumab. Finally, Dr Wierda explores his expectations…

The RVD chemotherapy regimen combines lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone, and is recognized by the European Society for Medical Oncology in its guidelines as the current standard therapy for treating multiple myeloma (MM). Here, Katja Weisel, MD, from University Hospital Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany, reviews the clinical findings that look at RVD as a maintenance therapy over 2 years after patients have reached remission. Speaking from the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Prof. Weisel impresses the overall survival benefit that was shown in patients treated with RVD, indicating that there is a clear need…

MURANO (NCT02005471) is a Phase III randomized trial comparing the efficacy of venetoclax plus rituximab vs. standard chemoimmunotherapy of bendamustine plus rituximab in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). John Seymour, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Victoria, Australia, presented results from this trial at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Here, he discusses the benefits of venetoclax plus rituximab in patients with 17p deletions or TP53 mutations, who do not respond well to chemoimmunotherapy. He also speaks about the positive safety data from the trial, as well as the…

Hareth Nahi, MD, of the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, discusses the association between drug cost and toxicity at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. In multiple myeloma (MM), he uses the example of carfilzomib and bortezomib. While carfilzomib yields fewer side effects, it is more expensive. Dr Nahi explains how the cost of treating drug side effects, combined with the increased quality of life associated with carfilzomib, makes it the clear drug of choice.

The field of multiple myeloma (MM) has seen an influx of exciting new therapies. Here, Guy Pratt, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK, discusses a variety of them at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. He gives an overview of the drugs he thinks have the greatest potential to transform the field. These include: lenalidomide, which is being used for maintenance and continuous therapy; carfilzomib, a next-generation proteasome inhibitor; and daratumamab, a monoclonal antibody therapy for the relapsed setting. Dr Pratt also discusses the potential…

In this interview at the 23rd Congress of European Haematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Gareth Morgan, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath, from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, talks about B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) as the target for multiple CAR T-cell agents for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). These agents are proving promising, with low toxicity and high tolerability; however, there are still improvements required, and Dr Morgan ponders if these could come with the GSK-916 antibody-drug conjugate directed against BCMA.

Lymphoproliferative disorders can be characterized by a certain set of pathogenic events. These include the upregulation of anti-apoptotic pathways guided by the BCL-2 protein family, and signalling by tumor surface immunoglobulin B-cell receptors (BCR). In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, Francesco Forconi, MD, DM, PhD, FRCPath, from the University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, speaks about targeting these pathways to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). BCR signalling can be modulated using a BTK inhibitor like ibrutinib or acalabrutinib, and BH3 mimetics can be used to block anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Dr…

The FORTE trial (NCT02203643) aimed to compare responses to carfilzomib when combined with lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) or with cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (KCd) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Francesca Gay, MD, from the Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy, discusses the results presented from this study at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. While both therapies were effective and well tolerated, KRd treatment yielded better overall responses, in addition to improved rates of MRD negativity, in both high- and low-risk patients.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells have been a key focus in cancer research over recent years; however, T-cells are not the only cells into which it is possible to integrate a CAR. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Stockholm, Sweden, William Wierda, MD, PhD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses the recent creation of CAR NK-cells. He outlines the potential benefits of CAR NK-cells over CAR T-cells, explaining that toxicity from cytokine release is lower with CAR NK cells, and that CAR NK treatments do not have to…

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), treatment is often delayed because patients develop infections. Florence Cymbalista, PhD, from the Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France, presented results at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, from a study investigating these patients. She found, using bronchoalveolar lavage and fibroscopy, that the patients who developed infections displayed pulmonary localizations of CLL. She discusses the potential for detecting which patients are at risk from infection, and the importance of treating those patients early to prevent further pulmonary infiltration of CLL.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is rising in popularity as a prognostic indicator in a variety of blood cancer types. We spoke to Fabio Guolo, MD, of the University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, at the 23rd congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, about his experience of using MRD for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He gives an overview of the predictive benefits of MRD in pre-transplant patients with both low- and high-risk AML, as well as the pros and cons of using flow cytometry vs. next-generation sequencing to detect MRD. Finally, Dr Guolo describes how MRD…

Esther Oliva, MD, of the Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy, presented preliminary results from her Phase III study exploring the impact of a combined chemotherapy, cytarabine and daunorubicin treatment in elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Patients in complete remission were given maintenance treatment of either azacitidine or a best supportive care control. Dr Oliva discusses the surprising result that patients over the age of 73 were more likely to benefit in terms of disease-free survival from the azacitidine treatment than…

The Phase III INO-VATE trial (NCT01564784) showed improved rates of complete remission and overall survival in relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with inotuzumab ozogamicin compared to standard therapy. In this video, recorded at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, David Marks, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPath, of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK, discusses the key findings from this trial, and outlines new statistical approaches that further emphasize the benefits of this therapy when compared to the standard of care.

Daunorubicin is commonly used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this video, Christoph Röllig, MD, of the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany, discusses the results from his treatment optimization trial, the DaunoDouble trial (NCT02140242), which he presented at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. This trial aimed to distinguish whether there was any difference in early response assessment between patients treated with the European standard 60 mg dose of daunorubicin vs. an experimental 90 mg. There was no significant difference between treatments, and the results were backed up by…

Measurable residual disease (MRD) can be detected using two main techniques: next-generation sequencing and flow cytometry. Here, Bruno Paiva, PhD, of the University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain, weighs up the different techniques at the 23rd congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr Paiva discusses some of the limitations facing clinicians in accessing each technique, and concludes that the technique is less important than the use of rigorously standardized and validated methods to collect data.

Anthony Moorman, PhD, of Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK, discusses the current UKALL14 trial (NCT01085617) for adults aged 25-65 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The trial is the first of its kind to implement genetics for risk stratification, identifying 4 high risk mutations to guide treatment. Prof. Moorman notes how even when high risk patients were treated as such, they still had significantly worse outcomes – for example, patients with JAK-STAT abnormalities, who experienced extremely high chances of relapse and death. Moreover, he notes that the number of patients with ABL-class fusions was lower than expected, suggesting imatinib is of less…

Al Benson III, MD, FACP, explains how tumor-sidedness impacts colorectal cancer treatment algorithms.

Robert A. Figlin, MD, explains the trade-offs between safety and efficacy when discussing first-line renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment options.

Bobby Green, MD, explains Flatiron’s clinico-genomic database helping shed light on the cost-effectiveness of next-generation sequencing.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, shares his thoughts on whether Keynote 189 impacted view of PDL-1 expression and patient selection.

Celestia S. Higano, MD, shares the outcomes from the PROSPER and SPARTAN studies in non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer are impacting the standard of care.