Oncology On The Go

After the 2025 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting had passed, the  data were out, and the hematologist/oncologists of the world had time to digest the practice changes that awaited them upon their returns home. Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP, and Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP, took part in an X Spaces discussion hosted by CancerNetwork® in collaboration with The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) to highlight these potential changes. Adams and Banerjee discussed abstracts from the meeting, including the phase 3 MajesTEC-3 trial (NCT05083169), which evaluated teclistamab-cqyv (Tecvayli) plus daratumumab (Darzalex) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who progressed on at least 1 prior line of therapy.1 A significant progression-free survival benefit was observed with the experimental combination compared with standard of care in this population. They also discussed data from cohort A of the phase 2 IFM2021-01 trial (NCT05572229), which evaluated subcutaneous teclistamab in combination with subcutaneous daratumumab in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Results demonstrated that the combination was effective and safe in the frontline treatment of patients who were ineligible for transplant.2 The discussion also covered the broader treatment landscape, as the experts compared the use of bispecific antibodies with BCMA-directed CAR T-cell therapies. Frontline bispecific strategies for transplant-ineligible populations were also topics of conversation, as well as post-transplant consolidation with bispecifics. Ultimately, they stated that multiple myeloma care is undergoing a paradigm shift toward deeper minimal residual disease negativity, possible treatment de‑escalation, and even serious use of the word “cure” for the disease. Banerjee is an assistant professor in the Clinical Research Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Adams is a clinical pharmacist in the Department of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy and coordinator of the PGY-2 Oncology Residency at Orlando Health. Both are also members of the ASTCT content committee. References Mateos M-V, Bahlis N, Perrot A, et al. Phase 3 randomized study of teclistamab plus daratumumab versus investigator’s choice of daratumumab and dexamethasone with either pomalidomide or Bortezomib (DPd/DVd) in patients (Pts) with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): Results of majestec-3. Blood. 2025;146(suppl 2):LBA-6. doi:10.1182/blood-2025-LBA-6 Manier S, Lambert J, Marco M, et al. A phase 2 study of teclistamab in combination with daratumumab in elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: the IFM2021-01 teclille trial, cohort A. Blood. 2025;146(suppl 1):367. doi:10.1182/blood-2025-367

This episode of the collaborative podcast between Oncology on the Go and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS), hosted by Daniel C. McFarland, DO, features Michelle B. Riba, MD, and focuses on integrating psychosocial care into oncology for clinicians. The discussion emphasizes that psychosocial issues profoundly impact both quality of life and cancer-related outcomes, making their assessment an integral part of care, not merely ancillary. The distress thermometer was developed by the NCCN in the late 1990s as a 0-to-10 scale, dubbed the "fifth vital sign". The term "distress" was chosen over psychiatric labels to capture the wide array of patient concerns, including pain, fatigue, sleep, spiritual, practical, and family issues. Distress screening is now mandated at regular appointments in all cancer centers in the US. Clinicians are encouraged to screen for more specific issues like depression (linked to poor adherence and survival), anxiety (which can impede treatment adherence), and substance use. Oncologists are the doctors most able to consider a patient's totality of symptoms, and their role is integral to supporting psychosocial referrals. To address the practical delivery of care, the collaborative care model is being advocated as a public health, population-based approach. Key components include: Use of a standardized screening tool. Management by a dedicated care manager. Weekly consultation between the care manager and a consultant psychiatrist for triage and treatment advice. The model allows oncologists to bill for care and learn more about these issues while ensuring patients receive evidence-based treatments. The clinicians concluded that fundamentally, mental health needs to be aligned alongside cancer care. McFarland is the director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Wilmot Cancer Center and a medical oncologist who specializes in head, neck, and lung cancer, in addition to being the psycho-oncology editorial advisory board member for the journal ONCOLOGY. Riba is director of the PsychOncology Program, a clinical professor, and the associate chair for Integrated Medical and Psychiatric Services in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, and psycho-oncology editorial advisory board member for the journal ONCOLOGY.

At the 2025 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition (ASH), CancerNetwork® sat down with a variety of researchers and clinicians to discuss potential advancements across hematologic oncology care. These experts shared their findings related to investigational therapeutic regimens and strategies that may prove impactful across different multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia populations. First, Krina K. Patel, MD, MSc, highlighted findings from the phase 2 iMMagine-1 study (NCT05396885) assessing treatment with anitocabtagene autoleucel (anito-cel) among patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. According to Patel, an associate professor in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma in the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the novel cellular therapy elicited an overall response rate (ORR) of 96% and a stringent complete response or CR rate of 74% among the evaluable patients. She also discussed how anito-cel’s unique mechanism of action may show efficiency compared with other cellular therapy products while reducing the risk of cytokine release syndrome and other delayed toxicities. Next, Manali Kamdar, MD, spoke about data from a long-term follow-up phase 2/3 study (NCT03435796) based on the phase 3 TRANSFORM trial (NCT03575351) evaluating lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel; Breyanzi) vs standard-of-care therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Long-term follow-up showed that liso-cel continued to elicit improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival across this population. Kamdar, the clinical director of Lymphoma Services at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, touched upon the patient subpopulations who are most suitable to receive liso-cel while emphasizing the agent’s curative potential in the second-line setting. Finally, Wei Ying Jen, BM BCh, MA, MMed, MRCP, FRCPath, detailed results from the phase 1/2 SAVE trial (NCT05360160), which showed responses with an all-oral combination of revumenib (Revuforj), decitabine/cedazuridine (Inqovi), and venetoclax (Venclexta) for patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia. Jen, an assistant professor in the Department of Leukemia in the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, noted how an all-oral regimen may offer an “advantage” compared with standard intensive chemotherapy, which requires patients to travel to the hospital to undergo an infusion. References Patel K, Dhakal B, Kaur G, et al. Phase 2 registrational study of anitocabtagene autoleucel for the treatment of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma: updated results from iMMagine-1. Blood. 2025;146(suppl 1):256. doi:10.1182/blood-2025-256 Kamdar M, Solomon S, Arnason J, et al. Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) versus standard of care (SOC) for second-line relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL): First Results from long-term follow-up of TRANSFORM. Blood. 2025;146(suppl 1):3710. doi.10.1182/blood-2025-3710 Jen WY, DiNardo CD, Short NJ, et al. Phase II study of the all-oral combination of revumenib (SNDX-5613) with decitabine/cedazuridine (ASTX727) and venetoclax (SAVE) in newly diagnosed AML. Blood. 2025;146(suppl 1):47. doi:10.1182/blood-2025-47

In the most recent ONCOLOGY On the Go hosted in collaboration with the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, Daniel C. McFarland, DO, spoke with Charles S. Kamen, PhD, MPH, about health equity for sexual and gender minority groups in oncology.  Sexual and gender minority groups, who constitute approximately 9.3% of the US population, experience significant and preventable disparities across all stages of the cancer care continuum, according to Kamen.1 He detailed how these inequities are largely driven by minority stress: the chronic psychological and emotional burden resulting from anticipated and experienced prejudice, discrimination, and stigma within health care settings.2 McFarland and Kamen highlighted that a lack of comprehensive sexual and gender minority training in medical education often leaves clinicians feeling unprepared, compounding the patient’s anxiety and mistrust. The path to correcting these disparities requires a fundamental shift to cultural humility: the readiness to acknowledge one’s own lack of knowledge and learn directly from the patient’s lived experience. The most critical, actionable step discussed was the systematic, safe, and affirmative collection of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data.3 Kamen emphasized that SOGI data is a clinical tool, not just a demographic marker. When collected routinely—ideally non-verbally via intake forms—SOGI data are used to: Ensure Biologically Appropriate Surveillance: Confirming that all necessary cancer screenings are offered based on the patient’s existing organs, regardless of current gender identity. Facilitate Relationship-Centered Care: Appropriately recognizing and engaging the patient’s partners and chosen family; a critical component of sexual and gender minority support networks. Tailored Psychosocial Navigation: Moving beyond a general "disparities mindset" to an "equity mindset" by using SOGI data to connect patients with LGBTQ-specific psychosocial resources that directly address discrimination-related distress drivers. McFarland is the director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Wilmot Cancer Center and a medical oncologist who specializes in head, neck, and lung cancer, in addition to being the psycho-oncology editorial advisory board member for the journal ONCOLOGY. Kamen is an associate professor in the Department of Surgery, Cancer Control (SMD) and holds joint appointments as an associate professor at the Center for Community Health and Prevention and the Department of Psychiatry (SMD) at the University of Rochester Medical Center.  References 1.        Jones JM. LGBTQ+ identification in U.S. rises to 9.3%. News release. Gallup. February 20, 2025. Accessed December 3, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/48n8j8bd 2.        Minority stress. American Psychological Association. Updated November 15, 2023. Accessed December 3, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/5n888ynr Learning resources — collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data. National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. Accessed December 3, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/4btrn5y3

As part of a visit to Georgia Cancer Center in Augusta, Georgia, CancerNetwork spoke with a variety of experts and faculty members regarding ongoing research and future initiatives dedicated to improving outcomes across different patient populations. These conversations touched upon potential developments in diseases including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), multiple myeloma, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). First, Girindra Raval, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine: Hematology and Oncology of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, discussed current studies at his institution that may help optimize treatment for patients with lung cancer. This research ranged from retrospective trials analyzing how demographic features may influence outcomes to biomarker-based assessments intended to augment the efficacy of immunotherapy. Looking towards the future, Raval stated that determining how to sequence and de-escalate treatment amidst several available therapeutic options will be a key concern in the field. Additionally, Amany Keruakous, MD, director of Myeloma Research at Georgia Cancer Center and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine: Hematology and Oncology at the Medical College of Georgia of Augusta University, detailed strategies for mitigating current challenges in multiple myeloma care. She emphasized fostering collaborative relationships between colleagues in community settings and academic institutions to help reduce barriers to treatment access among patients. Furthermore, she noted the importance of conducting additional clinical trials at community centers.  Finally, Daniel Peters, MD, an assistant professor at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and bone marrow transplant & cellular therapy faculty member at Georgia Cancer Center, focused on key developments across the AML space. At his institution, Peters and colleagues are evaluating potential drivers of immune dysfunction, which may inform less intensive cellular therapy approaches or determine who is suitable to receive autologous types of treatment. Peters also discussed how additional research set for presentation at meetings like the 2025 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH) may affirm a shift away from 7+3 intensive chemotherapy for patients who are younger and fit with newly diagnosed AML.