Hematology as a discipline is extraordinarily complex. That is one of its attractions, and the ASH annual meeting is no less varied and exciting. The unenviable task of choosing the high points from this year’s annual meeting belongs to Dr. David Scadden, from Harvard University, and Dr. Robert Hromas, from the University of New Mexico. Drs. Scadden and Hromas are the scientific program co-chairs for this year’s annual meeting. Dr. Scadden is also the winner of this year’s William Dameshek Prize for his seminal work on the stem cell niche.

After prolonged discussion, they have each chosen about a dozen high-ranking abstracts to present at Best of ASH. The overall theme of Dr. Scadden’s presentation will be new insight into the hematopoietic stem cell and how it relates to hematologic disease. Dr. Scadden will present studies that demonstrate new aspects of how the microenvironment affects hematopoeisis, with implications for stem cell transplantation and recovery from chemotherapy.

Dr. Hromas was struck by the power of whole genome analysis to identify underlying mechanisms of hematologic disease and therefore isolate new targets for therapy. He will describe how these studies will lead to novel therapies in leukemia and lymphoma. There have been major advances in myeloma treatment, but these have also raised new questions. Dr. Hromas will describe some of the answers to questions that these new therapies have raised.

Join them at 12:00 noon in Auditorium 320 for a one-hour distillation of the Best of ASH.