Updates on Lymphomas | Steven Bair, MD

CAR-T Cell Therapy in Hematologic Malignancy | Elizabeth Budde, MD, PhD

Updates in Myeloma | Joseph Mikhael, MD 

Updates on Lymphomas from Steven Bair, MD:

Dr. Steven Bair from the University of Colorado provided a thorough update on the treatment of lymphomas.  Dr. Bair states, “The field is rapidly evolving.  This was reflected by the abstracts presented at ASH which suggest a paradigm shift” in the way lymphoma is treated.  “We are moving toward combination regimens in first line treatment, development of next generation drugs such as BTK inhibitors, and time limited approaches to therapy.”

Updates on MPNS from Ruben Mesa, MD:

Dr. Ruben Mesa from the Mays Cancer Center at UTHealth San Antonio gave an insightful overview of myeloproliferative neoplasms and the updates affecting medical management and survival.  Dr. Mesa states, “MPNs are chronic conditions,” and it is important to understand “the holistic sense of MPN disease burden” as symptoms inform us about MPN biology.   Dr. Mesa also discussed the expanding treatment options for essential MPNs including interferon, hepcidin mimetic PTG-300, and JAK inhibition.  Dr.  Mesa states, “various myelofibrosis approaches in the pipeline may impact first line treatment, second line treatment, and how we use transplant.” 

Updates in AML and MDS from Christine McMahon, MD:

Dr. Christine McMahon, from the University of Colorado, reviews some of the exciting and clinically relevant ASH presentations on MDS and AML. Special attention is set to research involving Pevonedistat, Imetelstat and Venetoclax, whose role continues to evolve within the treatment spectrum of AML.  Dr. McMahon also covers research that has lead to the identification of poor treatment outcomes in young patients with AML within the African American population. Furthermore, treatment of AML via molecularly targeted therapies, such as Enasidenib and Gilteritinib, as well as new agents to treat AML, such as Magrolimab, Flotetuzumab, and SY-1425 are also discussed.

CAR-T Cell Therapy in Hematologic Malignancy from Elizabeth Budde, MD, PhD:

Dr. Elizabeth Budde, from City of Hope in Duarte CA, provides an in-depth overview of the current CAR-T cell therapies in hematologic malignancies. Her review on lymphoma covers the use of Axi-Cel for long-term disease control in pts w/ refractory LBCL, the response rate and safety profile of CAR-T treatment in iNHL, and the use of CAR-T in front line therapy for aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Also discussed are the testing of early delivery, high potency, and reduced toxicity of new CAR-T cell therapies, as well as a great discussion regarding CAR-T clinical development in AML. Dr. Budde closes by reviewing the exciting year that multiple myeloma research has presented by going over the novel CAR-T cell design and off-the-shelf allogeneic anti-BCMA CAR design. The FDA priority review of Ide-cel and Cilta-Cel are also discussed.

Updates in Myeloma from Joseph Mikhael, MD:

Dr. Joseph Mikhael, from Honor Health in Scottsdale AZ, provides an exciting presentation on the current landscape of myeloma research by providing a great review of the progress of survival in myeloma and the many new molecules available to treat this disease. Several key abstracts from ASH 2020 are discussed along with their significance in clinical practice. The main areas discussed are frontline therapy, the role of autologous stem cell transplant, early relapse, CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific therapy. Furthermore, Dr. Mikhael discusses other drugs that may affect the landscape of myeloma, such as Iberdomide (Cell Mod) and Melphalan Flufenamide (Melflufen). His overview is very effectively wrapped up by summaries on the pillars, options, and evolution of myeloma therapy.