International Hematologic Conference Features UCSF Health Experts

 

Prestigious Medical Meeting Spotlights Latest Innovations in Hematology

Hematologists and oncologists from around the world will present new research and clinical findings at the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) 63rd Annual Meeting and Exposition. This year’s meeting will be held in Atlanta, Georgia – and virtually – from December 11-14, 2021.

For more than sixty years, ASH has sponsored its annual meeting, widely considered the world’s leading event in malignant and non-malignant hematology. The scientific program features presentations and data updates, including diagnostic developments and other advances in hematology.

This year’s scientific program highlights new and late-breaking data, including diagnostic developments, by experts in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC). Here are some highlights:

Thomas G. Martin, MD

Thomas G. Martin, MD
Associate director of UCSF's myeloma program and director of the unrelated donor transplantation programs for adults at UCSF Medical Center.

CAR-T Cell therapy for multiple myeloma: Thomas G. Martin, MD will present updated results from the CARTITUDE-1, phase 1b/2 study of Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel, a B-Cell Maturation Antigen-Directed CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed and treatment-resistant multiple myeloma. Martin is clinical professor of medicine in the Adult Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, associate director of the Myeloma Program, and co-leader of the Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program at the HDFCCC. View Abstract 549

Safety study of a novel interleukin molecular therapy for patients with relapsed hematologic malignancies: Nina Shah, MD, will present data on the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic effects, and preliminary efficacy of NKTR-255, a Novel IL-15 Receptor Agonist, in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. In the findings, NKTR-255 was biologically active, and demonstrated sustained increases in natural killer and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells) in a patient population that had been previously treated for hematologic malignancies. Shah is an associate professor of clinical medicine, specializing in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. She is also chair of Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC’s) Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Guideline Expert Panel.View abstract 3134

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“Changing Landscape of Alpha and Beta-Thalassemia Diagnosis and Treatment:” In a pre-recorded presentation as part of ASH’s education program, Tippi MacKenzie, MD, will discuss new approaches to the management of the blood disorder alpha thalassemia. Included in her discussion will be a review of intrauterine transfusion therapy,allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant and intrauterine hematopoietic cell transplant with a postnatal booster transplant for alpha thalassemia. MacKenzie is a professor of surgery, director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, and co-director of UCSF’s Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine. View presentation information

Nina Shah, MD

Nina Shah, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology-Oncology.

Qualitative data from patients treated for relapsed or resistant multiple myeloma: Nina Shah, MD, shares unique qualitative insights into the patient experience during the 24 months following treatment for relapsed multiple myeloma Patients treated with Idecabtagene Vicleucel (ide-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen-directed CAR-T cell therapy reported positive treatment experiences and would make the same treatment decision again. View abstract 3041

Digital life coaching during autologous stem cell transplantation: Rahul Banerjee, MD, presents information about an ongoing, randomized Phase 2 study of digital life coaching during autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma. Because stem cell transplantation entails sudden life changes including 2-week hospitalizations for high-dose chemotherapy and recovery, this study examines whether pairing patients with a trained life coach can improve patient well-being during this period. Dr. Banerjee is a clinical fellow specializing in advanced cellular therapies such as transplant and CAR-T therapy. View abstract 4023

For a complete list of ASH abstracts, please see: https://ash.confex.com/ash/2021/webprogram/Session21289.html

 

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