At EHA 2025, Hematology Discussions Will Stretch Across Lifespans and Locations

Clinicians, researchers, and innovators will descend on the fashion capital of the world for the 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress to debate and discuss what’s coming into style in the field of hematology—and what’s so last season. The meeting, taking place in Milan, Italy, from June 12 to June 15, promises to feature more than 130 sessions and over 4000 submitted abstracts, all in a redesigned program structure with an expanded speaker program.

Milan, Italy | Image Credit: © Kavalenkava - stock.adobe.com

The sessions will be more strategically dispersed, according to conference organizers,1 in response to attendee feedback, but they will still feature the posters, panels, symposia, and workshops that the congress is known for. Another perennial highlight is the YoungEHA sessions, targeted to early-career clinicians and scientists, which this year span topics from the stratospheric to the everyday. Attendees can hear about the nuances of hematological processes and disorders in outer space, as well as an issue much closer to home: the emotional burden of practicing hematology.

The highly anticipated thematic debates will also return, touching on topics from the value of prophylactic platelet transfusions to the standard of care for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A debate last year explored arguments for and against wider access to gene therapy for patients with hemophilia2; this year, participants will debate the merits of gene therapy vs transplant for sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

Joint sessions and symposia also have a prominent place on the program, including those held in conjunction with the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the American Society of Hematology, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, and more. For instance, a joint symposium between EHA and the European Medicines Agency will delve into the hot topic of using minimal residual disease (MRD) in clinical and regulatory decision-making, which was discussed last year but has since advanced even further.3

“The multistakeholder discussion will cover the importance of understanding MRD from the patient’s viewpoint and highlight the contrast between scientific enthusiasm and regulatory strictness,” EHA organizers say.4 “Specific cases will be used to highlight the differences in perspectives.”

As ever, the plenary and late-breaking abstract sessions are sure to draw huge crowds of attendees eager to hear the latest data readouts. The plenary, taking place on Saturday, will feature phase 3 results on treatment and prophylaxis for DLBCL, essential thrombocythemia, and graft-vs-host disease, as well as earlier-stage findings on multiple myeloma and leukemias. Sunday’s scheduled late-breakers include not just data on drug regimens but also results from implementation of a novel frailty assessment.

One theme seen across the agenda is that the practice of hematology can span entire lifetimes. A spotlight talk will feature innovative point-of-care tests for screening newborns for sickle cell disease, a session by the EHA Adolescent and Young Adult Taskforce will explore the unique considerations of treating this age group, and a discussion session will focus on treating multiple myeloma and lymphoma in frail and older patients. Poster presentations will span from drug efficacy in pediatric patients to the unique treatment patterns seen among octogenarians.

Milan may be known for its daring looks and designer houses, but the EHA Congress will see the innovation flow in the realm of hematology. Attendees will leave knowing their practices are up-to-date and alla moda, ready for the clinic or the lab if not the runway.

References

1. EHA2025 Congress. European Hematology Association. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://ehaweb.org/connect-network/eha2025-congress

2. Mattina C. Experts debate scope of access to gene therapy for patients with hemophilia. AJMC®. June 15, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/experts-debate-scope-of-access-to-gene-therapy-for-patients-with-hemophilia

3. Mattina C. Hematology from the European perspective: MRD negativity emerges as key outcome. AJMC. June 20, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/hematology-from-the-european-perspective-mrd-negativity-emerges-as-key-outcome

4. European Affairs track at the EHA2025 Congress. European Hematology Association. May 26, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://ehaweb.org/about-eha/news-updates/european-affairs-track-at-eha2025-congress