Blood Cancer Talks

Episode Overview For the second time in two decades, a phase 3 trial has shown a statistically significant improvement over R-CHOP in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In this episode, Eddie, Raj, and Ashwin sit down with Professor Charles Herbaux to unpack the data, debate the clinical implications, and ask the question that's on every hematologist's mind: is this enough to c...

In this episode, Raj, Ashwin, and Eddie sit down with Dr. Vincent Rajkumar — Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic and Chair of the ECOG Myeloma Committee — for a clinically focused conversation on newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Topics span baseline workup, risk stratification, induction selection, transplant timing, MRD-directed decision-making, and maintenance strategy. The episode closes with...

In this episode, we dive deep into ASH 2025 updates on myeloid malignancies with Dr. Curtis Lachowiez. From the plenary halls of ASH 2025 to long-term follow-up of Aza/Ven/Gilteritinib, we unpack what the latest evidence means for the future of AML management. 1. PARADIGM Trial (Plenary Session, Abstract 6) Fathi A, Perl A, Fell G, et al. Results from PARADIGM – a phase 2 randomized multi-center s...

BloodCancerTalks: ASH 2025 Lymphoma Roundup Guest: Dr. Carla Casulo, Associate Professor, Wilmot Cancer Centre, University of Rochester Abstracts Discussed Follicular Lymphoma EPCORE-FL1 (Falchi) - Epcoritamab plus lenalidomide-rituximab (R2) in relapsed/refractory FL Theme: Bispecific antibody combinations in R/R FL; comparing to other approaches   Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) - Elderly/...

 Join hosts Raj, Ashwin, and Eddie in this episode of Blood Cancer Talks as they welcome Dr. Luciano Costa, the first author of the NEJM manuscript on the MajesTEC-3 RCT, which was presented at ASH 2025. This episode dives deep into the trial's topline findings, capturing the nuances of the patient population, efficacy and safety data, and the future implications for treatment. The episode also ex...

Join hosts Eddie, Ashwin, and Raj as they welcome Dr. Michelle Yong and Dr. Gemma Reynolds, academic infectious diseases physicians from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the National Centre for Infections in Cancer, for an in-depth discussion on cytomegalovirus (CMV) management in immunocompromised hematology patients. Key Topics Covered Fundamentals of CMV Management Distinguishing CMV react...

This episode provides comprehensive coverage of key clinical trial updates from the 2025 International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting in Toronto, with special focus on bispecific antibodies and novel immunotherapies across the multiple myeloma disease continuum—from smoldering disease through relapsed/refractory settings. Dr. Alfred Garfall provides expert commentary on study design, efficac...

In this episode of Blood Cancer Talks, hosts Eddie, Ashwin, and Raj welcome two distinguished experts to explore the cutting-edge field of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in B-cell lymphomas. Dr. David Russler-Germain, a lymphoma clinician from Siteman Cancer Centre at Washington University in St. Louis, returns as a familiar voice to the podcast audience. Joining him is Dr. Ash Alizadeh, the Moghad...

In this episode of Blood Cancer Talks, we have Dr. Adrian Minson from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to discuss the latest developments in lymphoma presented at the recent EHA and ICML meetings in June 2025. The episode focuses primarily on the emerging role of bispecific antibodies in various combinations and treatment settings for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Key Clinical Trials Dis...

In this episode, we discuss the management of follicular lymphoma with Dr. Gilles Salles from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Here are the articles we discussed:  1. Relevance of Bone Marrow Biopsy in Follicular Lymphoma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35787017/ 2. TROG 99.03 (RCT of Systemic Therapy after Involved-Field Radiotherapy in Patients with Early-Stage Follicular Lymphoma): http...

In this episode, we dissect the phase 3 MIDAS trial in newly diagnosed transplant-eligible multiple myeloma with Dr. Meera Mohan.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39841461/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40459097/

In this episode, we took a deep dive intro the landscape of menin inhibitors in AML with Dr. Eytan Stein from MSKCC. Here are the key trials and studies we discussed:  ELN 2022 AML Classification https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/140/12/1345/485817/Diagnosis-and-management-of-AML-in-adults-2022 Predictors of outcomes in adults with AML and KMT2A rearrangements: https://www.nature.com/artic...

In this episode, we discuss the recent proceedings at the FDA ODAC meeting on AQUILA trial in smoldering myeloma and STRAGLO in R/R DLBCL, and provide an update to our audience on some of the clinically relevant data presented from those trials, along with insights from the panelists. Here is the link to the webpage with FDA briefing documents and slides:  https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/a...

In this episode, we discussed the management of systemic mastocytosis with Dr. Daniel DeAngelo from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Here are the key studies we discussed: Midostaurin https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1513098?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Avapritinib EXLPORER study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021...

In this episode, we explore the emerging entity of CAR Transgenic T-cell Lymphoproliferative Neoplasms (CTTLN), a rare but important complication of CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. Piers Blombery from Peter MacCallum Cancer Center joins us to dissect two cases from the CARTITUDE-4 trial where patients developed T-cell lymphomas expressing the chimeric antigen receptor following cilta-cel treatment for mul...

In this episode, we delve into the key clinically relevant abstracts in leukemia and myeloid neoplasms with Dr. Jayastu Senapati from the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Here are the links to the abstracts we discussed:  Older AML: Ven+HMA vs 7+3 Abstract 450: https://ash.confex.com/ash/2024/webprogram/Paper210320.html Abstract 971: https://ash.confex.com/ash/2024/webprogram/Paper202801.html Abstract 9...

In this episode, we discuss the management of CML with Dr. Hagop Kantarjian from MD Anderson Cancer Center. Here are the key articles we discussed:    1. ASC4FIRST RCT: Asciminib in newly diagnosed CML.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38820078/   2. 5-year follow-up of ENESTnd RCT (nilotinib):  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26837842/   3. 10-year follow-up of ENESTnd RCT (nilotinib):  https://p...

In this episode, we dive into the hottest updates in myeloma and amyloidosis at ASH 2024 annual meeting with Dr. Rakesh Popat. Here are the abstracts we discussed: 1. AQUILA Trial in High-Risk SMM Overview of the AQUILA trial testing single-agent daratumumab for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HR-SMM) versus active monitoring.  Discussion on patient characteristics, primary endpoints, and r...

In this episode, we discussed the top abstracts in lymphoma and CLL presented at the ASH 2024 annual meeting in San Diego with Dr. David A Russler-Germain from Washington University. Here are the key abstracts we discussed:  1. 3 RCTs in Mantle Cell Lymphoma:  a) Update on TRIANGLE: https://ash.confex.com/ash/2024/webprogram/Paper200735.html b) ENRICH Trial (Continuous Ibrutinib-Rituximab vs CIT [...

In this episode, we discuss the comeback of belantamab mafadotin in multiple myeloma with Dr. Hang Quach, along with some other important abstracts presented at EHA/ASCO 2024. Here are the studies we discussed:  1. DREAMM-7 RCT: Belantamab-Vd vs Daratumumab-Vd in relapsed MM. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38828933/ 2. DREAMM-8 RCT: Belantamab-Pd vs PVd in relapsed MM. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih...

In this episode, we dive into the management of older adults with Hodgkin Lymphoma with Dr. Andrew Evens. Here are the key articles we discussed: 1. Comparison of ABVD versus Stanford V in older Hodgkin Lymphoma patients: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3906856/ 2. Outcome of older adults ECHELON-1: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34162178/ 3. Sequential BV-AVD in older adults with Hodgki...

In this episode, we discuss the history of venetoclax in AML, along with key clinical trials that have shaped its current use in AML. Here are the trials discussed in this episode:   1. VIALE-A study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2012971 2. 10 day Decitabine plus venetoclax for ND AML https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhae/article/PIIS2352-3026(20)30210-6/abstract 3. Genetic Risk...

In this episode, we discuss the management of newly diagnosed transplant in-eligible multiple myeloma with Dr. Timothy Schmidt, with a special focus on IMROZ and BENEFIT RCTs testing quadruplets in this space.  Here are the key papers we discussed:  1. MAIA trial (Daratumumab-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone [DRd] vs Rd in newly diagnosed transplant ineligible myeloma): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3...

In this episode, we discuss updates on low-risk MDS with Dr. Maximilian Stahl with a focus on imetelstat and luspatercept.  Here are the trials we discussed:  1. IWG 2019 response criteria https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7042664/   2. MEDALIST trial: Luspatercept https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1908892?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%20...

In this episode, we discussed the diagnosis and management of polycythemia vera with Dr. Aaron T. Gerds. Here are the shownotes with the key studies discussed:  1.     MIPS PV scoring system https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31945802/ 2.     REVEAL study https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/143/16/1646/506717/Association-between-elevated-white-blood-cell 3.     MAJIC PV study https://ascopubs.o...