
Blood Cancer Talks
This is a podcast on latest advances in the understanding and management of blood cancers. Here, we will bring a wide range of experts within hematologic malignancies to discuss various topics in depth.
Host: Raj Chakraborty, MD from Columbia University, New York, Ashwin Kishtagari, MD, from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, and Edward Cliff, MD, from Harvard University, Boston
Tweet your suggestions and feedback to @rajshekharucms @AshKishtagari @Eddie_Cliff @BloodCancerTalk
Latest episodes

Oct 4, 2023 • 52min
Episode 31. Management of CNS Lymphoma
In this episode, we discuss the management of primary CNS lymphoma, secondary CNS lymphoma and CNS prophylaxis with Dr. Kate Cwynarski. Here are the shownotes: 1. ASH 2022 data on PET scan in CNS lymphoma - https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/140/Supplement%201/1334/492207/Is-It-Possible-to-Omit-Bone-Marrow-Biopsy-in?searchresult=1 2. Elizabeth Schorb ASH 2022 (MARTA) 65-80 year olds – https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/140/Supplement%201/1773/493224/High-Dose-Chemotherapy-and-Autologous-Stem-Cell?searchresult=1 3. IESLG 32 study (MATRIX) - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27132696/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35562406/ 4. R-methotrexate procarbazine (PRIMAIN) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5383936/ 5. RW studies: Andy Evens 500 pts >60 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36965007/ 6. LYSA PRECIS study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35834762/ 7. IELSG43 study Lugano (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hon.3163_15) and ASH late breaking 2022 (https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/140/Supplement%202/LBA-3/493427/Effects-on-Survival-of-Non-Myeloablative) 8. Secondary CNS lymphoma 134 pts UK PR vs CR autograft - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36300776/ 9. “How I Treat secondary CNS involvement by aggressive lymphomas?”- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37702537/

Sep 13, 2023 • 1h 8min
Episode 30. Management of High-Risk Myeloma
The podcast discusses the management of high-risk myeloma, including genetic markers and prognostic factors. It explores the impact of Dell 1P32 and other chromosome 1 nuances on newly diagnosed myeloma. Treatment options and the role of autologous transplant are also discussed. Implementation of gene expression profiling and genetic profiling in managing high-risk myeloma is highlighted. The challenges of using synthetic control arms in clinical trials and the management of high-risk myeloma are explored.

Aug 30, 2023 • 56min
Episode 29. Management of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma
In this episode, we discuss the diagnosis and management of peripheral T-cell lymphoma with Dr. Steven Horwitz, with a focus on the 3 most common types-Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma-NOS, Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma (AITL), and Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL). Here are the key papers we discussed: 1. “How I Treat Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma?”:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24615779/2. ECHELON-2- RCT of CHOP vs BV-CHP in CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34921960/3. Ro-CHOP Phase III study (LYSA): Romidepsin-CHOP vs CHOP in peripheral T-cell lymphoma:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34843406/4. RCT of autologous vs allogeneic HSCT as part of 1st line therapy in poor risk peripheral T-cell lymphoma:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33512419/5. A phase 2 biomarker-driven study of ruxolitinib in T-cell lymphomas:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34653242/6. JACKPOT8 study: Selective JAK1 inhibitor in relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma:https://ash.confex.com/ash/2020/webprogram/Paper134650.html

Aug 18, 2023 • 48min
Episode 28. Management of CCUS
In this episode, we discuss the diagnosis and management/monitoring of Clonal Cytopenias of Unknown Significance (CCUS) with Dr. Uma Borate. We also discuss the emerging data on risk stratification and key trials in this space that are currently ongoing. Here are the shownotes:1. CCUS and risk of transformation to myeloid neoplasms:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006497121013471 2. Prediction of risk for myeloid neoplasms in clonal hematopoiesis:https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDoa2200310 3. CHRS risk score:http://www.chrsapp.com 4. Germline predisposition to clonal hematopoiesis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0145212623006094?via%3Dihubhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2819-2 5. Cancer therapy shapes the fitness landscape of clonal hematopoiesis:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-020-00710-0 6. Canakinumab for the prevention of progression to cancer in patients with Clonal Cytopenias of Unknown Significance, IMPACT Study:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05641831?cond=CCUS%20Clonal%20Cytopenia%20of%20Undetermined%20Significance&rank=3 7. Ivosidenib in patients with CCUS and mutations in IDH1:https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05030441https://sites.wustl.edu/pimm/

4 snips
Jul 31, 2023 • 1h 3min
Episode 27. Management of PNH
In this episode, we delve into the diagnosis and management of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) with Dr. Robert Brodsky. Here are the shownotes for key papers we discussed in the episode:How I treat PNH: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33512400/Alternative donor BMT with posttransplant cyclophosphamide as initial therapy for acquired severe aplastic anemia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37084383/Pegcetacoplan versus eculizumab in PNH: a) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33730455/ b) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35349667/Phase 2 study of danicopan (factor d inhibitor) in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria with an inadequate response to eculizumab: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34314483/Complement and prothrombotic state: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34415298/

Jul 15, 2023 • 57min
Episode 26. Management of Newly Diagnosed Hodgkin's Lymphoma
In this episode, we delve into the history of frontline treatment in young/fit patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and recent developments in the past decade with Dr. Nancy Bartlett from Washington University.Link for our Blood Cancer Talks Survey: https://bit.ly/BCTSHere are the key trials we discussed:1. RATHL Trial (PET-adapted treatment of Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma):https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27332902/ 2. S0816 (PET-adapted treatment of Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma):https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27069074/ 3. ECHELON-1 (Replacing Bleomycin by Brentuximab Vedotin in Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma):https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29224502/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35830649/ 4. BREACH (BV-AVD vs ABVD for Early Stage Unfavorable Hodgkin’s Lymphoma):https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35867960/ 5. S1826 (Nivo-AVD vs BV-AVD in Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma):https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.17_suppl.LBA4 6. FIL-ROUGE (PET-adapted ABVD vs Dose-Intensified ABVD):https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hon.3163_4 7. HD21 (BRECADD vs EBEACOPP in Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma):https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hon.3196_LBA5

Jun 28, 2023 • 49min
Episode 25. Managing Acute Toxicities of CAR T-cell Therapy
In this episode, we discuss the management of acute toxicities of CAR T-cell therapy, including CRS, ICANS, and HLH with Dr. Michael Jain from Moffitt Cancer Center.Here are some of the key articles we discussed:1. “How I treat refractory CRS and ICANS after CAR T-cell therapy”. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36989488/ 2. CAR-HEMATOTOX score: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34166502/ 3. “How I treat cytopenias after CAR T-cell therapy”. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36800563/ 4. Immune Effector Cell-Associated HLH-Like Syndrome (ASTCT): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36906275/ 5. ASTCT consensus grading for CRS and ICANS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30592986/6. Hematopoietic stem cell boost for persistent neutropenia after CAR T-cell therapy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35696759/ 7. Modified EASIX score for predicting CRS and neurotoxicity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34432870/

Jun 17, 2023 • 48min
Episode 24. ASCO/EHA 2023 Special: Updates on CAR T-cell Therapy in Myeloma
In this episode, we discuss the latest updates on CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma, including the studies presented at ASCO and EHA 2023. Here are the show notes:1. For a primer on CAR T-cell therapy, listen to our episode aired on July 22nd 2022 with Dr. Surbhi Sidana: https://share.transistor.fm/s/efc4acf92. RCTs of BCMA CAR T-cell Therapy in Early Relapsed Multiple Myeloma:a) KarMMa-3 (ide-cel): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36762851/b) CARTITUDE-4 (cilta-cel): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37272512/3. Clinical trials of GPRC5D CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma:a) MCARH109 (MSKCC Trial): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36170501/b) POLARIS Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36725117/3. Phase 1 UNIVERSAL trial of ALLO-715 in Multiple Myeloma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36690811/4. Anti BCMA/CD19 CAR T-cells with IMiD maintenance therapy in myeloma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36413381/

May 31, 2023 • 52min
Episode 23. Bispecific Antibodies in Myeloma
In this episode, we delve into the latest data on bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma with Dr. Ajai Chari. Here are the key studies discussed:1. Teclistamab (MajesTEC-1 trial): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35661166/2. Correlative analysis from MajesTEC-1 trial: https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/140/Supplement%201/241/4876193. Talquetamab (MonumenTAL-1 trial): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36507686/4. Phase 1 trial of fixed-duration cevostamab: https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/140/Supplement%201/4415/4923395. Phase 1 trial of ABBV-383: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36029527/6. Paper summarizing infections with different bispecific antibodies in myeloma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36716411/

May 20, 2023 • 1h 4min
Episode 22. Management of Low-Risk MDS
In this episode, we take a deep dive into low-risk MDS management. We have the privilege of being joined by the esteemed Dr. Mikkael Sekeres. We also explore his invaluable insights gained from his time at FDA ODAC and his latest literary endeavor, "Drugs and the FDA". Here are the key studies discussed:1. ASH choosing wisely: https://www.hematology.org/education/clinicians/guidelines-and-quality-care/choosing-wisely 2. International Consensus Classification (ICC): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35767897/ 3. WHO classification 2022: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35732829/ 4. IPSS-M: https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDoa2200008 5. Romiplostim in MDS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29396092/ 6. Low-dose decitabine vs. low-dose azacItidine in lower-risk MDS: https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDoa2200034 7. Luspatercept in MDS: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1908892 8. Lenalidomide in MDS: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2015.66.0118https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21753188/ 9.Iron chelation therapy in MDS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32203980/