ASH 2024 Preview for Community Oncologists: The Show and After Show

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition aims to educate oncology providers across an array of hematologic malignancies, with a focus on novel agents, drugs across the FDA pipeline, and more.

In the next episode of The Show and After Show, co-hosts Kristie L. Kahl and Andrew Svonavec offer a glimpse at some of the presentations guaranteed to spark one’s curiosity, spur debate, and enhance the field even further. Some key highlights include:

Emerging Trends in Blood Cancer

• CAR T-cell therapies: Continued advancements in CAR T-cell therapy are expected to revolutionize the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
• Bispecific antibodies: Bispecific antibodies, such as Epcoritamab (Epkinly), offer a novel approach to target multiple antigens on cancer cells.
• Minimal residual disease (MRD): The assessment of MRD is becoming increasingly important in predicting treatment response and overall survival.

Advances in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

• Blinatumomab (Blincyto) in pediatric ALL: The addition of blinatumomab to chemotherapy has shown promise in improving disease-free survival in high-risk pediatric ALL. This combination therapy may offer a more effective treatment option for young patients.

Anticipated FDA Approvals in 2025

• Acalabrutinib (Calquence) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL): The FDA is set to review the approval of acalabrutinib with bendamustine or rituximab (Rituxan) for previously untreated MCL, based on data from the phase 3 ECHO trial (NCT02972840).
• Asciminib (Scemblix) in chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML-CP): The FDA is also reviewing the priority review of asciminib for newly diagnosed CML-CP. This tyrosine kinase inhibitor has shown favorable safety and tolerability profiles, making it a potential new treatment option for patients.

The 2024 ASH Annual Meeting isn't just about data, as the duo also offers food recommendations, tourist attractions and fun activities to partake in, as well as interesting facts about San Diego.

This is just a taste of the wealth of information and inspiration waiting at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting. Check back for future meeting previews with The Show and After Show.