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ICYMI: Highlights From EHA 2023
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The most-read articles from the 2023 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Meeting covered the most up-to-date treatment strategies for hematological malignancies, racial disparities in treatment patterns for blood cancers, and updates on immunotherapy as a tool in hematologic oncology.
The most-read articles from the 2023 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Meeting covered the most up-to-date treatment strategies for hematological malignancies, racial disparities in treatment patterns for blood cancers, and updates on immunotherapy as a tool in hematologic oncology.
Check out the rest of our EHA 2023 coverage here.
5. Long-Term Data Show QOL Advantage of Zanubrutinib in 3 Cancers
Data from the ASPEN and ALPINE trials collectively showed treatment with zanubrutinib to improve quality of life in Waldenström macroglobulinemia, relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Posters presented at EHA 2023 included findings with a focus on patient-reported outcomes and real-world data, both important to determine the extent to which zanubrutinib improves outcomes for patients.
4. Posters Show Differences in Treatment Patterns for Myeloma, CLL by Patient Race
A pair of posters presented at EHA 2023 demonstrated racial disparities in disease characteristics and treatment decision-making in CLL and multiple myeloma (MM), respectively. The findings suggest that racial disparities may be reduced if underserved populations had access to adequate CLL care in real-world clinical settings, and that clinician biases must be overcome to optimize treatment for Black patients with MM.
3. Burgeoning Immunotherapy Options in Oncology Move Beyond CAR T and the Usual Disease States
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have garnered deserved attention for their efficacy in certain patients with hematologic malignancies, but a session at the 2023 EHA Congress highlighted the fact that the landscape of immune therapies in hematology is expanding. Presenters emphasized not only immunotherapies on the horizon—such as T-cell receptor–engineered T cells—but also the importance of respecting the patient experience with such therapies. Quality of life is a key end point for patients with cancer, explained patient advocate Hans Scheurer, who has had myeloma since 2005 and chairs the Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks, and it should therefore be important to investigators and regulators.
2. EHA 2023 Late-Breaking Abstracts Offer Sneak Peek at the Future of Hematology
Outcomes from trials in polycythemia vera, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and more were featured during the late-breaking oral session at EHA 2023. Chosen abstracts included a withdrawal analysis of the phase 2 REVIVE study of rusfertide to control hematocrit levels in patients with polycythemia vera and high phlebotomy burden; findings from a randomized trial of maintenance gilteritinib following transplant in FLT3-ITD AML; data on ziftomenib in relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutated AML; data on cevidoplenib, a novel selective inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase, in persistent and chronic immune thrombocytopenia; and interim findings from a proof-of-concept trial of a MASP-3 inhibitor, OMS906, to normalize hemoglobin levels in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
1. Researchers Deliver Updates on Efforts Toward Eradicating CLL
In a session at EHA 2023, panelists offered an overview of ongoing efforts to improve the treatment of CLL, with each of 3 experts explaining the current status of research on chosen topics. Highlights included emerging research on the utility of minimal residual disease assessment, which drug combinations are most effective in CLL, and the potential for CAR T cells in CLL treatment.
