ICYMI: Highlights From EHA 2024

In-depth sessions and expert interviews focused on the innovative therapies transforming and improving patient outcomes from hematologic malignancies at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2024 Congress, which took place June 13 to June 16 in Madrid, Spain. Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, improving patient responses while considering treatment’s impact on their quality of life, advocating for patients to have greater access to transformative treatments, and minimal residual disease (MRD) shared the spotlight for the top content.

This is our top EHA 2024 coverage, and you can also catch up on all of our conference coverage on our dedicated EHA page.

5. Late-Breaking Abstracts at EHA 2024 Span From the Clinic to the Proteome to the Andes Mountains

These “hot-off-the-press” presentations were considered so timely and relevant that despite being submitted after the abstract deadline, they garnered an oral session of their own. Covering interventional and foundational science, these abstracts discussed findings in the settings of mantle cell lymphoma, relapsed/refractory multiply myeloma, treatment-naive malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, hematopoietic stem cell expansion, and low-risk myeloid malignancies, to name a few. Their results could have implications for future treatment by improving patient response, increasing survival, and widening the pool of therapeutic options.

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4. Revolutionizing Multiple Myeloma: Immunotherapy Is Transforming Treatment, Extending Lives, Dr Mohamad Mohty Says

In this discussion with Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, professor of hematology and head of the Hematology and Cellular Therapy Department at Sorbonne University and Saint-Antoine Hospital, he speaks to how immunotherapy has transformed the treatment landscape for patients who have relapsed/refractory multiply myeloma. He remarks that chimeric antigen receptor T cells and bispecific antibodies are “modifying the natural history of multiple myeloma patients” with this subtype of the hematologic malignancy. As a result, instead of palliative care being a foregone conclusion, these patients are achieving long-term survival and enhanced quality of life.

Watch the interview.

Image Credit: © European Hematology Association

3. Different Roads, Same Goal: Dr Joseph Mikhael Explores Early R/R Multiple Myeloma Treatment Strategies in the US, Europe

The US and European patient experiences were the focus of the session, “Individualized Treatment in Early Relapse for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma,” during which Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, chief medical officer of the International Myeloma Foundation myeloma research director and consultant hematologist at HonorHealth, discussed the US patient experience. In this interview, he explains how treatment flexibility differs between the US and other countries, but that what’s best for the patient is always the number 1 goal. Advocating for greater therapy access is also a top priority, he emphasizes, as patients’ quality of life is at stake.

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2. Innovations in Hematology: Experts Share Key Takeaways From the EHA 2024 Congress

Ana Lacerda, MD, MSc, pediatric oncologist and head of the pediatric palliative care team at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology; and Marta Rodríguez Martínez, PhD, sustainability officer of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, recapped their experiences at the EHA 2024 Congress through their biggest takeaways from the annual meeting. Mohty spoke about his excitement for targeted molecules in different disease complications, Mikhael highlighted the inspiring camaraderie and remarkable data from across the multiple myeloma spectrum, Lacerda expressed hope for patient advocacy in Europe and early integration of palliative care, and Rodríguez Martínez voiced her satisfaction with efforts to reduce the environmental impact of hematology research.

Watch the recap interview.

1. Hematology From the European Perspective: MRD Negativity Emerges as Key Outcome

MRD negativity and its role as a surrogate biomarker for hematologic malignancy treatment response were on display in plenary abstract sessions that explored innovative tools for disease monitoring and that questioned data from the phase 3 IMROZ study (NCT03319667) of isatuximab plus bortezomib (Velcade), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and dexamethasone (Isa-VRd) vs VRd for its potential impact on European drug approval. With a plethora of myeloma therapies in the investigative pipeline that are producing impressive survival outcomes, experts are calling for accelerated approval based on biomarkers and surrogate end points, of which MRD negativity is one. Although a top potential advantage of this sensitive way to measure disease is its results directing therapy stoppage, for its use beyond the accelerated approval process, more data are needed.

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