Hematology Frontier

The 2024 Annual Meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) was recently held in Barcelona, Spain. As one of the premier global oncology conferences, it brought together experts and scholars from around the world to share cutting-edge research and chart future directions. During the conference, Dr. Junmin Song from the Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, presented the first real-world study comparing BCMA CAR-T therapy with bispecific antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma (802MO). This presentation garnered significant attention from attendees. Hematology Frontier invited Dr. Song to provide an in-depth interpretation of the study and to discuss the future prospects of these two innovative therapies in multiple myeloma treatment.

From September 25 to 28, 2024, the 21st International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At this prestigious conference, the research led by Dr. Juan Li from The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in China was selected for poster presentation. The study suggests that for high-risk multiple myeloma (MM) patients with dual hits of 1q21 amplification and t(4;14), tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (Tandem ASCT) might be an effective treatment strategy. Hematology Frontier invited Professor Li to share the findings of this study and its clinical significance.

From September 25 to 29, 2024, the 27th Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) was successfully held in Xiamen. Themed Patient-Centered, Sharing the Future, the conference brought together major research advancements and developments from both domestic and international spheres. Over the past two decades, CSCO has been a continuous leader in the development of clinical oncology in China, with numerous experts and scholars contributing to and benefiting from CSCO’s growth. In response to CSCO's initiative, Hematology Frontier established the Growing with CSCO column to look back at the history of this organization alongside Chinese scholars. This issue features an exclusive interview with Dr. Jun Zhu, Vice President of the CSCO Council and Professor at Peking University Cancer Hospital, where he shares his journey of growing with CSCO and highlights the progress and achievements in the field of lymphoma in China.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has once again brought the spotlight onto the field of gene regulation. This year, American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were honored with the prestigious award for their pioneering research on microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Their groundbreaking discoveries not only opened new horizons in understanding gene regulation but also offered new perspectives and methods for studying and treating hematological diseases such as leukemia.

In a recent discussion, Dr. Owen O’Connor and Dr. Zhengzi Qian addressed the complexities of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and shared insights on new therapeutic strategies. They highlighted the diversity of PTCL subtypes and the promising role of novel drugs, such as PI3K inhibitors and EZH2 inhibitors, in improving outcomes. The conversation also emphasized the importance of early combination therapies over traditional chemotherapy and the future potential of chemotherapy-free regimens.

In a recent interview, Dr. Lanfang Li and Professor Zhuang Weiyun from the University of California, San Francisco discussed breakthroughs in treating Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS), focusing on the efficacy of brentuximab vedotin and mogamulizumab. They highlighted the importance of targeting different disease compartments and leveraging new drugs to improve patient outcomes. With advancements in targeted therapies and an emphasis on early diagnosis, the experts emphasized the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to better manage these rare but challenging conditions.

From September 25-29, 2024, the "27th National Clinical Oncology Conference and 2024 CSCO Annual Meeting," hosted by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) and the Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation, will be held in Xiamen. With the theme "Patient-Centered, Sharing the Future," the conference will showcase major research advancements and developments in the field both domestically and internationally. Over the past 20 years, CSCO has continuously led the development of clinical oncology in China, with many experts deeply involved in its growth, advancing their careers through this platform. Hematology Frontier has launched a special "Growing with CSCO" series in response to CSCO's call, inviting Chinese scholars to revisit past stories. In this issue, we have invited Dr. Jun Ma, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of CSCO and Director of the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology, to share his touching stories of "growing with CSCO."

From September 6-8, 2024, the 5th Tianjin International Lymphoma Symposium was successfully held. The conference featured twelve specialized sessions, including immunotherapy, translational research, and new drug development, creating a platform for promoting international academic exchange and collaboration. During the event, Hematology Frontier invited Dr. Hua Wang from the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center to review the latest treatment strategies for marginal zone lymphoma (MZL).

As a shining new star in the medical field, CAR-T cell therapy, while significantly effective, is filled with unknowns much like Pandora's Box. From successful treatment to long-term monitoring, every step requires meticulous planning. Recently, at the 12th Lu Daopei Hematology Academic Forum, Hematology Frontier had the honor of inviting Dr. Shahrukh Hashmi from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center to share in-depth insights on the optimization and practical experience of long-term monitoring strategies following CAR-T therapy.