The 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the largest and most comprehensive international conference in hematology, successfully took place from December 7 to 10, 2024, in San Diego, USA. This annual event attracts numerous hematology experts and scholars worldwide to exchange ideas and discuss significant breakthroughs in the field. During this year's ASH conference, the Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON) held its 2024 Winter Symposium. Experts shared insights, reviewed past accomplishments, and presented cutting-edge advancements in areas ranging from basic research to clinical applications. The event not only fostered academic exchanges and knowledge sharing but also played a pivotal role in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases while promoting global professional collaboration.

In San Diego, California, CAHON welcomed a distinguished audience of scientists and clinicians specializing in hematology and oncology. The symposium explored breakthroughs in patient care, innovative therapies, and topics such as bone marrow transplantation, regulatory T cells, early detection of multiple myeloma, and novel immunotherapies. These discussions highlighted CAHON’s mission to encourage collaboration and innovation in cancer treatment.

A Vibrant Gathering in San Diego

JingZhou Hou, MD, Chair of the CAHON Board and Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, delivered the opening address. Reflecting on CAHON’s journey since its inception in 2005, Dr. Hou emphasized its steady growth into a robust organization with 333 members active in academia, healthcare, and government. Dr. Hou reiterated CAHON’s commitment to fostering exchanges among Chinese American medical professionals, delivering high-quality healthcare to patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases, and bridging medical knowledge between the U.S. and China. To achieve this, CAHON has organized various academic events and established partnerships with international organizations to facilitate knowledge sharing. Looking ahead, CAHON’s strategic plan focuses on four priorities: Expanding and Deepening, Elevating, Promoting, and Enhancing, with the goal of contributing to advancements in global hematology and oncology over the next three years.

Recognizing Excellence and Driving Growth

Liang Den, MD, President of CAHON and a professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, praised CAHON’s role in advancing academic knowledge and offering professional mentorship. She highlighted the symposium’s tradition of honoring distinguished professionals with Lifetime Achievement Awards and recognizing member contributions through Outstanding Service Awards.Dr. Den also noted CAHON’s wide range of annual academic activities, including the Summer Symposium during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, the New York Oncology Forum (NYOF), the Winter Symposium during the ASH Annual Meeting, and the Community Oncology Forum (COF). Additionally, CAHON hosts post-ASH update meetings and academic receptions during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. The upcoming 12th NYOF, which coincides with CAHON’s 20th-anniversary celebration, will be a milestone event to reflect on past achievements and plan for the future.

Elevating Research and Scholarly Communication

DeLong Liu, MD, founding president of CAHON and professor of medicine at New York Medical College, highlighted the evolution of Journal of Hematology & Oncology (JHO) since its launch in 2008. As the official journal of CAHON, JHO has achieved significant acclaim, with an impact factor of 29.5 as of June 2024, cementing its status as a leading journal in hematology and oncology.Dr. Liu also discussed the growth of Biomarker Research and Experimental Hematology & Oncology, two other journals under his leadership, which now boast impact factors of 9.5 and 9.4, respectively. These journals underscore CAHON’s influence in advancing scientific discovery and fostering collaboration across the global research community.

Advancing the Science of Hematology and Oncology

Robert Negrin, MD, Vice President of ASH and Director of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Stanford University, presented his team’s research on regulatory T cells (Tregs). He described how Tregs, through FOXP3 expression, suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) while preserving graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects. This balance is critical for eradicating post-transplant malignancies. Dr. Negrin also shared clinical findings on Orca-T, an allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy. A three-year follow-up study presented at ASH revealed that Orca-T significantly reduced non-relapse mortality (NRM), improved relapse-free survival (RFS), and enhanced outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

Empowering the Next Generation of Researchers

Brian G.M. Durie, MD, co-founder of the International Myeloma Foundation, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis in treating multiple myeloma (MM). He highlighted the population-based iStopMM study in Iceland, which screened individuals over 40 for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Dr. Durie explained how early interventions for high-risk patients could improve outcomes and discussed minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity as a critical treatment goal and future therapeutic challenge.

A major highlight of the symposium was the presentation of the Young Investigator Awards, which celebrate the achievements of emerging researchers and recognize their potential to shape the future of hematology and oncology. These awards inspire participants, energize CAHON’s mission, and reaffirm the organization’s dedication to fostering talent. By supporting early-career professionals, CAHON aims to advance scientific research and encourage more individuals to contribute to these critical fields.

Charting a Bold Future

The CAHON 2024 Winter Symposium showcased transformative advancements in research and clinical care, with a focus on precision medicine, early diagnosis, and follow-up care. Discussions emphasized reducing treatment toxicity, maintaining remission, and enhancing patient quality of life. Interdisciplinary collaboration emerged as a key trend, bridging research, industry, and clinical practice to accelerate progress.

As CAHON embarks on its third decade, the organization remains committed to nurturing talent, driving innovation, and fostering global collaboration. With its focus on solving complex medical challenges and improving patient outcomes, CAHON continues to shape the future of hematology and oncology, paving the way for new breakthroughs that will benefit countless patients worldwide.

Let us look forward to even greater accomplishments from CAHON in the years ahead!