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SPECIAL INTEREST SESSIONS

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ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Aplastic Anemia

In this session, speakers will highlight recommendations from the 2025 ASH guidelines on aplastic anemia and will discuss important considerations for the application of the recommendations in practice.

Chair:

Phillip Scheinberg, MD
Hospital A Beneficencia Portuguesa
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Speakers:

Austin G. Kulasekararaj, MD, MBBS, FRCPath, MRCP
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
Recommendations for Diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia

Kristin Ammon Shimano
UCSF Benioff Children0s Hospital
San Francisco, CA, United States
Recommendations for transplant in patients with Aplastic Anemia

Emma Groarke, MD
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Bethesda, MD, United States
Recommendations for IST and medical management of Aplastic Anemia

ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency with and without Anemia

In this session, speakers will highlight recommendations from the upcoming ASH guidelines on diagnosis of iron deficiency and will discuss important considerations for the application of the recommendations in practice.

Chair:

Jacquelyn Powers, MD
Texas Children's Hematology Center
Houston, TX, United States

Speakers:

Imo Akpan, MD
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, NY, United States
Ferritin, TSAT, and how low is too low: Diagnosis of iron deficiency in adults

Layla Van Doren, MD, MBA
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT, United States
Menstruating individuals: Evidence-based ferritin thresholds

Michelle Sholzberg, MD
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON, Canada
Screening and defining iron deficiency in pregnant individuals

ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Hydroxyurea for Sickle Cell Disease

In this session, speakers will highlight recommendations from the upcoming ASH guidelines on dosing and monitoring of hydroxyurea for SCD and will discuss important considerations for the application of the recommendations in practice.

Chair:

Venee N. Tubman, MDMMSc
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX, United States

Speakers:

Aimee Hildenbrand, PhD
Nemours Children's Health
Wilmington, DE, United States
Adherence Recommendations for Hydroxyurea for SCD

Marvin Reid
Caribbean Institute for Health Research
Kingston 7, Jamaica W.I., Jamaica
Monitoring Recommendations for Hydroxyurea for SCD

Jane Hankins, MD, MS
St Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN, United States
Dosing Recommendations for Hydroxyurea for SCD

ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Myelofibrosis

In this session, speakers will highlight recommendations from the upcoming ASH guidelines on myelofibrosis and will discuss important considerations for the application of the recommendations in practice.

Chair:

Brady Stein, MD
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL, United States

Speakers:

Anthony Michael Hunter, MD
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Atlanta, GA, United States
Myelofibrosis Recommendation Highlights: Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Aspirin Therapy, and Iron Chelators

Douglas Tremblay, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, NY, United States
Jak Inhibitors in Myelofibrosis: Recommendations for Different Risk Profiles, Symptoms, and Treatment History

Natasha Szuber
University of Montreal
Montreal, QC, Canada
Timing Transplantation and Pre-Transplant Therapy in Myelofibrosis: Recommendations for Optimal Management

ASH Clinicians in Practice Lunch: Access to Critical Drugs: The Causes, Costs, and Campaigns

Chair:

Mary-Elizabeth Percival, MD
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Seattle, WA, United States

Speakers:

Thomas Roades
Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy
Durham, NC, United States
The interactions of the pharmaceutical system and how the competing demands of different stakeholders can influence cost and shortages

Emily Mackler
YesRX
Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Combatting drug shortages with drug repository programs

Brooke Boring
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
Milwaukee, WI, United States
Advocacy at the federal and state level and how practitioners can get engaged

ASH’s SCD Initiative: 10 Years of Progress and a Look to the Future of Sickle Cell Disease Research and Care

Join us for the Center for Sickle Cell Disease Reception in W240 to follow.

Chair:

Alexis A. Thompson, MDMPH
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, United States

Speakers:

Alexis A. Thompson, MDMPH
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, United States
10 Years of Progress: ASH’s Sickle Cell Disease initiatives

Catherine Chunda-Liyoka, Dr
University Teaching Hospitals - Childrens Hospitals, Ministry of Health
Lusaka, Zambia

Omar Niss, MD
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH, United States
Leveraging the ASH Research Collaborative SCD Research Network to Understand Underused Disease Modifying Therapies and Updates from Voxelotor?Withdrawal

Michael R DeBaun, MD, MPH
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN, United States
Findings from “Sickle Cell Trait Does Not Cause ‘Sickle Cell Crisis’ Leading to Exertion Related Death: A Systematic Review”

Michael R DeBaun, MD, MPH
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN, United States

Catherine Chunda-Liyoka, Dr
University Teaching Hospitals - Childrens Hospitals, Ministry of Health
Lusaka, Zambia
Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa – Diagnostic to Community Based Efforts

Omar Niss, MD
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Robert Liem, MD
Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, IL, United States
ASH SCD Clinical Guidelines and Implementation Tools in Action

Robert Liem, MD
Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, IL, United States

ASH-FDA Joint Symposium on Newly Approved Therapies I

These joint sessions, co-sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will feature drugs recently approved to treat hematologic disorders. FDA product-reviewers will discuss the safety and efficacy issues for the products' clinical trials and toxicity studies. The program will also include clinicians who will discuss their perspectives on the use of the products in the real-world setting. There will be ample time for questions from the audience.

ASH-FDA Joint Symposium on Newly Approved Therapies II

Back to Business Breakfast

Join us at the first ever Back to Business Breakfast, a?networking-style breakfast and a closer look at ASH IGNITE, the Society’s new initiative advancing the business of innovation in hematology. A member of the ASH Business of Innovation Task Force will briefly introduce the ASH IGNITE platform, which features a Knowledge Center of expert-vetted resources and a Networking Hub connecting innovators and investors, with the goal of bringing together like-minded hematologists to create a network of innovators.

Blood Advances Presents: How to Peer Review a Scientific Paper

In this session, the Deputy Editor from Blood Advances will demystify the peer review process, covering why it matters, what makes it effective, and how you can contribute meaningfully as a reviewer. Attendees will learn practical strategies for evaluating manuscripts constructively and ethically. If you’re new to the process or looking to refine your approach, this is your crash course in becoming a trusted voice in scientific publishing.

Speaker:

Andrew Weyrich
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma City, OK, United States
Blood Advances Presents: How to Peer Review a Scientific Paper

Blood Presents: How to get Published in a Peer Review Journal

In this candid and practical session, the Editor-in-Chief and one of the Deputy Editors from Blood will walk you through the key steps in preparing and submitting a scientific manuscript. The session will cover what editors are looking for, common pitfalls in manuscript preparation, what to expect after submission, and how to approach revisions or rejections with professionalism and purpose.

Speaker:

Andrew Roberts
Walter Eliza Hall Institute
Melbourne, Australia
Blood Presents: How to Get Published in a Peer Review Journal

Celebrating Diverse Voices: Enriching Hematology Lunch

This is a community-building and networking event for members from an expansive and inclusive group of communities attending the meeting. The event is hosted by the Committee on Advancing Excellence and Population Health and aims to create space for these communities to learn more about the differing experiences and needs across communities and create a sense of belonging and allyship. This year’s event will include inspiring remarks from a fellow member and networking opportunities throughout.

Center for Sickle Cell Disease Initiatives Reception

Join us for a special evening reception celebrating ASH’s 10-year commitment to improving the lives of individuals living with sickle cell disease. This milestone event honors a decade of transformative progress, collaboration, and advocacy. Guests will have the opportunity to network with leaders in hematology and sickle cell research. Whether you’ve been part of this movement from the beginning or are newly engaged, we welcome you to celebrate this momentous occasion with us.

Early Faculty Career Development Session

This year, we will focus on how to be successful in your first 'real' job. Curated faculty speakers representing diverse job profiles will share their journey and advice on this topic. Strategies to develop a productive clinical or laboratory based research program, finding success as an practicing clinician and a clinical educator will be discussed. The speakers will then join a panel discussion on pathways to sustained success and job satisfaction where they will also address questions from the audience.

Chair:

Hetty Carraway, MD, MBA
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH, United States

Speakers:

Courtney Jones, PhD
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Cincinnati, OH, United States
Developing a Productive Research Program (How to Set up a New Laboratory) - Part 1

Alexey V. Danilov, MD, PhD
City of Hope National Medical Center
Duarte, CA, United States
Developing a Productive Research Program (How to Set up a New Laboratory) - Part 2

Peter Kouides, MD
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY, United States
Developing a Focused Area of Clinical Expertise - Part 1

Usha S Perepu
UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, TX, United States
Developing a Focused Area of Clinical Expertise - Part 2

Courtney Jones, PhD
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Cincinnati, OH, United States
Setting Yourself Up for Sustained Success - Panelist 1

Alexey V. Danilov, MD, PhD
City of Hope National Medical Center
Duarte, CA, United States
Setting Yourself Up for Sustained Success - Panelist 2

Peter Kouides, MD
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY, United States
Setting Yourself Up for Sustained Success - Panelist 3

Usha S Perepu
UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, TX, United States
Setting Yourself Up for Sustained Success - Panelist 4

Grassroots Network Lunch

Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) Oral Presentations – Classical Hematology

Join us for this special session highlighting the research of ASH Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) awardees. The HIP initiative is a comprehensive, 13-year longitudinal career pathway designed to ensure that the field of hematology reflects and serves the diverse world we live in. The session will feature oral scientific presentations from current program awardees, highlighting their innovative work and contributions to the field, with a focus on Classical Hematology.

Following the presentations, we welcome you to connect with the HIP community and celebrate our awardees and their mentors at a networking reception.

Moderators:

Imo Akpan

Satiro De Oliveira

Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) Oral Presentations – Health Services Outcomes

Join us for this special session highlighting the research of ASH Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) awardees. The HIP initiative is a comprehensive, 13-year longitudinal career pathway designed to ensure that the field of hematology reflects and serves the diverse world we live in. The session will feature oral scientific presentations from current program awardees, highlighting their innovative work and contributions to the field, with a focus on Health Services Outcomes.

Following the presentations, we welcome you to connect with the HIP community and celebrate our awardees and their mentors at a networking reception.

Moderators:

Margo Rollins

Joanna Robles

Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) Oral Presentations - Malignant Hematology I

Join us for this special session highlighting the research of ASH Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) awardees. The HIP initiative is a comprehensive, 13-year longitudinal career pathway designed to ensure that the field of hematology reflects and serves the diverse world we live in. The session will feature oral scientific presentations from current program awardees, highlighting their innovative work and contributions to the field, with a focus on Malignant Hematology.

Following the presentations, we welcome you to connect with the HIP community and celebrate our awardees and their mentors at a networking reception.

Moderators:

Yolanda Fortenberry

Nada Hamad

Speaker:

Cilomar Martins de Oliveira Filho
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, MA, United States
Risk stratification of patients with TP53-mutated myeloproliferative neoplasms

Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) Oral Presentations – Malignant Hematology II

Join us for this special session highlighting the research of ASH Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) awardees. The HIP initiative is a comprehensive, 13-year longitudinal career pathway designed to ensure that the field of hematology reflects and serves the diverse world we live in. The session will feature oral scientific presentations from current program awardees, highlighting their innovative work and contributions to the field, with a focus on Malignant Hematology.

Following the presentations, we welcome you to connect with the HIP community and celebrate our awardees and their mentors at a networking reception.

Moderators:

Anita D'Souza, MD

Randolph Lyde

Speaker:

Kevin Robert Reyes, MD
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA, United States
The Role of Immunogenomics on the Sequencing of T-cell Redirection Therapies in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Hematology Inclusion Pathway Reception

Join the HIP community to connect, network, and celebrate the achievements of our awardees and their mentors at this special reception following the oral presentations. This event offers an opportunity to build connections across the HIP network, engage with colleagues who share a commitment to fostering diversity in hematology, and recognize the exceptional work of program participants.

How Can Community-Based and Academic Hematologists Foster Clinical Trial Participation as Part of Patient Care?

Patients often learn about clinical trials from their healthcare providers. However, the barriers to trial participation include: patients not being offered trials; physicians not having the capacity to effectively navigate clinicaltrials.gov and enroll patients; and community-based physicians are often not engaged (or engaged early enough to make a meaningful impact) in the clinical trial life cycle. This session will (1) address barriers that practicing hematologists face offering trials to patients, (2) provide practical solutions to overcome these barriers and (3) highlight best practices to engage patients and increase participation in trials.

Speakers will consist of a mix of practicing hematologists as well as other stakeholders in the clinical trial enterprise sharing their perspectives on the issue. The session will conclude with the speakers providing practical tactics that the audience can take to enhance access, inclusivity, and ultimately representation in hematology trials.

Chair:

Leonard Valentino
Rush University Medical Center
New York, NY, United States

Speakers:

Leonard Valentino
Rush University Medical Center
New York, NY, United States
Challenges to Clinical Trial Participation

Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, MS
Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario
Pickering, ON, Canada
Patient Perspective

John M. M. Burke, MD
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
Aurora, CO, United States
Engagement of Community Physicians in Clinical Trials

Fabio Dennstaedt
University Hospital and University of Bern
Bern, Switzerland
Moving Patients to Participants in Hematology Clinical Trials

Stephanie Valer Seremetis, MD
Novo Nordisk A/S
Plainsboro, NJ, United States
Industry Perspective

Alysha Croker
Health Canada
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Government Perspective

Jeffrey Keefer, MD, PhD
IQVIA
Keswick, VA, United States
Contract Research Organization Perspective

Michelle Feige
Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP)
Washington, DC, United States
Institutional Review Board Perspective

Joint Session: Advancing Hematology Through Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform hematology - from decoding the biology of hematopoiesis to guiding real-time treatment decisions. This session will unite innovators spanning discovery science to bedside care, delivering an evidence-based roadmap of where AI is today and where it is headed.

Specifically, the session will address the following goals: (1) contextualizing the AI revolution in biomedicine; (2) showcasing state-of-the-art foundation models that refine cell-state inference in health and disease; (3) revealing AI-driven diagnostic platforms already reshaping laboratory hematology; and (4) charting practical, ethical pathways for responsible clinical deployment.

Attendees will leave with a clear conceptual framework linking foundational AI principles to concrete applications in hematology; actionable examples of how large-scale models boost biological insight and diagnostic accuracy; and a realistic grasp of implementation challenges. By tracing the arc from algorithm to patient, the session will empower participants to critically appraise emerging technologies, identify collaboration opportunities, and craft informed research or adoption strategies that ultimately can improve patient care.

Speakers:

Shannon McWeeney
OHSU
Portland, OR, United States
General AI:The AI Revolution in Healthcare: From Hype to Real-World Impact

Bo Wang
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON, Canada
Basic and Translational AI: Mapp

Sanam Loghavi, MD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, United States
Diagnostics and Implementation:

Karandeep Singh
University of California San Diego
San Diego, CA, United States
Clinical Applications of AI: AI at the Bedside: Real-World Clinical Applications

Leveraging Genetic Diversity in Preclinical Discovery to Guide Precision Medicine

Consideration for variability in the constitutional DNA in medical research presents a unique opportunity to uncover novel biology, identify population-specific risk factors, and develop tailored therapies. By embracing the genetic and environmental variations across populations, we can unlock new avenues for innovation. While the clinical impact of variations in the somatic genetic profile, clinical presentation and survival prognostications are recognized, there is an unmet need to better understand the underlying biology of sometimes contrasting genotype-phenotype associations originating from varying germline genetic ancestries. This is caused by difficulties of biologically faithful functionalization approaches, and also limitations in the availability of suitable model organisms.

This session will present examples of bench-to-bedside translations, new model systems and basic research tools that have broad applicability for both basic and translational researchers. It may catalyze collaborations between translational researchers and basic scientists. In addition, the session aims to bridge the gap between clinical practice and basic research by exploring the critical role of genetic variation as a proxy for advancing precision medicine.

Attendees of the session will leave with an appreciation for the importance of considering genetic variation in research and cross-disciplinary partnerships to drive meaningful advances in patient treatment and survival.

Speakers:

Kellie Machlus, PhD
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States
Discovery Based on Population Structure: How to Faithfully Understand and Functionalize Novel Treatments

Adam J de Smith
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Decoding Bias in Disease Risk: The Role of Ancestry and Genomic Variant Clustering

Jesse Boehm Jr
Break Through Cancer
Cambridge, United States
Moving Towards Precision Medicine: Influence of Germline and Ancestry on Preclinical Target Discovery

Leveraging Real-World Data in Multiple Myeloma for Regulatory Purposes

Real-world data (RWD) programs have become a vital resource to researchers to transform medicine. RWD provide large volumes of data that allow researchers to precisely target specific patient populations for research and to tailor new treatments and care regimens to improve patient outcomes. This 90-minute session, hosted by the ASH Research Collaborative Multiple Myeloma Research Network, will explore how various programs are leveraging RWD to drive real-world evidence generation and impactful research for regulatory purposes and advancing care.

Chair:

Saad Z. Usmani, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY, United States

Speakers:

Saad Z. Usmani, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY, United States
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Shaji Kumar, MD
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN, United States
Using Real-World Data to Accelerate Research on Multiple Myeloma Patient Cohorts: Lessons from the ASH RC Multiple Myeloma Data Hub

Othman Salim Akhtar, MD, MBBS
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI, United States
Using Real-World Data to Accelerate Research on Multiple Myeloma Patient Cohorts: Lessons from CIBMTR

Nicole Gormley, MD
Food and Drug Administration
Silver Spring, MD, United States
Using Real-World Data to Accelerate Research on Multiple Myeloma Patient Cohorts: RWE Guidance from the FDA Perspective

Edward Laane, MD, PhD
European Medicines Agency (EMA)
Tartu, Estonia
Using Real-World Data to Accelerate Research on Multiple Myeloma Patient Cohorts: RWE Guidance from the EMA Perspective

Sushmita Sen, PhD
Roche
Basel, Switzerland
Using Real-World Data to Accelerate Research on Multiple Myeloma Patient Cohorts: RWE Considerations from the Industry Perspective

Saad Z. Usmani, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY, United States
Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A

Leveraging Real-World Data in Sickle Cell Disease to Identify and Study Specific Cohorts of Interest

Real-world data (RWD) programs have become a vital resource for researchers to transform medicine. RWD provides large volumes of data that allow researchers to precisely target specific patient populations and tailor new treatments and care regimens to improve patient outcomes. This 90-minute session, hosted by the ASH Research Collaborative SCD Research Network, will explore how various RWD programs allow researchers to use RWD to identify specific patient populations of interest and drive impactful research.

Chair:

Charles Abrams, MD
U Penn
Philadelphia, PA, United States

Speakers:

Charles Abrams, MD
U Penn
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Biree Andemariam, MD
University of Connecticut
West Hartford, CT, United States
Using Machine Learning to Analyze Sickle Cell Disease Hospital Utilization and Chronic Kidney Disease

Patty Steinert, PhD, MBA
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI, United States
Case Studies for Collaborative Research: Using RWD to Accelerate Research on SCD Patient Cohorts: Using CIBMTR to Track Patients on Gene Therapy for Long-Term Safety and Efficacy

Jeffrey Lebensburger, DO
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL, United States
Case Studies for Collaborative Research: Using RWD to Accelerate Research on SCD Patient Cohorts: Using RWD to Develop a Framework to Support SCD Treatment Research

Charles Abrams, MD
U Penn
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A

Julie Kanter, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL, United States
Case Studies for Embedding Data Quality with Cohort Identification Studies for More Effective SCD Research Case: Using Multiple RWD Sources to Identify People with SCD Eligible for Novel Therapies

Charles Abrams, MD
U Penn
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A

LGBTQIA+ Community Networking Brunch

This is a community-building and networking event for members of the LGBTQIA+ community attending the meeting. The event is hosted by the Committee on Advancing Excellence and Population Health and aims to create a sense of belonging and allyship. This year’s event will include breakout group discussion on mentorship, community building, and career advancement followed by speed networking.

Medical Educators' Symposium

The ASH 2025 Medical Educators Symposium will be focused on cultural evolutions, both for academic medical practice and trainee education. Medical education and patient care are rapidly transforming from the perspective of inclusivity, cultural humility, and mixed methods of teaching. Come hear from educational experts about how to better engage trainees through revolutionary multimedia approaches as well. Regardless of your training level or faculty rank, come join the conversation and share your perspectives. Everyone's voice matters!

Chair:

Alexander Boucher, MD
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN, United States

Speakers:

Robert Stern, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA, United States
General Session 1: The Evolving Landscape of Cultural Terminology in Hematology Part 1

Laura DeCastro, MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
General Session 1: The Evolving Landscape of Cultural Terminology in Hematology Part 2

Jean M. Connors, MD
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA, United States
General Session 2: Tips and Tricks to Efficiently Handle Knowledge Gathering Part 1

Jori May, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL, United States
General Session 2: Tips and Tricks to Efficiently Handle Knowledge Gathering Part 2

Ronak Mistry, DO
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, United States
General Session 3: Content Creation as Medical Educators Part 1

Jonaphine Mata, MD
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, United States
General Session 3: Content Creation as Medical Educators Part 2

Ronak Mistry, DO
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Breakout 1: Multimedia Integration into Educational Curricula - Facilitator A

Jonaphine Mata, MD
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, United States
Breakout 1: Multimedia Integration into Educational Curricula - Facilitator B

Marina Heskel, MD
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA, United States
Breakout 2: Mixed Methods Educational Strategies for All Learners - Facilitator A

Reed E. Drews, MD
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA, United States
Breakout 2: Mixed Methods Educational Strategies for All Learners - Facilitator B

Robert Stern, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA, United States
Breakout 3: Cultural Humility in Hematology Care - Facilitator A

Rohini Jain, MD
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA, United States
Breakout 3: Cultural Humility in Hematology Care - Facilitator B

Sana Saif Ur Rehman, MD
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO, United States
Breakout 4: Innovation in Education for the Current Generation - Facilitator A

Thomas Deloughery, MD
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, OR, United States
Breakout 4: Innovation in Education for the Current Generation - Facilitator B

Simulcast of Announcement of Awards and Plenary Scientific Session

If you are unable to make it to the Marquee Session Room (OCCC - West Hall D2) in time for the start of the Announcement of Awards and/or Plenary Scientific Session, take advantage of this opportunity as the sessions will be shown in this room.

Simulcast of Announcement of Awards and Plenary Scientific Session

To, Through and Thereafter: Guiding Sickle Cell Disease Patients Considering Gene Therapy

In 2023, the Food & Drug Administration approved the first gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease. However, despite these advancements, only a small number of impacted individuals have received gene therapy, despite over 100,000 people living with the disease in the United States. The ASH Health Equity Task Force is hosting this special-interest session to highlight important considerations for providers and administrators to consider as they guide patients and patient representatives in accessing, navigating through, and after care for gene therapy.

This session is 90 minutes in duration. The first hour will consist of a facilitated panel discussion to educate hematologists on the nuances of understanding (1) key considerations to share with patients in determining if gene therapy is a viable treatment for them, (2) helping patients understand what they can expect and how they may need to prepare, if they proceed with gene therapy, and (3) critical preparation for patients and their caregivers to optimize their post treatment recovery and continuity of care for the long term. Following the panel discussion there will be 30 minutes for questions from the audience. The panel will be composed of 3 hematologists and 2 lived experience experts (LEEs) who will share their expertise and perspective for how to support and guide patients through each of the three stages of the process:

1. To Gene Therapy – which will focus on hematologists who are selecting and referring patients for gene therapy and also facing insurance approval challenges.
2. Through Gene Therapy – which will focus on physicians performing gene therapy and involved in day-to-day management of complications, etc.
3. Thereafter, Gene Therapy – which will focus on physicians involved in post-gene therapy management.

Chair:

Titilope Fasipe, MD, PhD
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX, United States

Speakers:

Alexis Leonard, MD
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN, United States
To Gene Therapy

Alexander Ngwube, MD
Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX, United States
Through Gene Therapy

Andrew Campbell, MD
Children's National Hospital
Washington, DC, United States
Thereafter Gene Therapy

Rae Blaylark
Agios
Cambridge, MA, United States
Lived Experience Expert

Olujimi Olaghere
Sugarloaf Capital
Atlanta, GA, United States
Lived Experience Expert

Training Program Directors Workshop

The goal of the 2025 Training Program Directors Workshop is to look forward and determine how hematology-oncology fellowships can innovate and change in order to improve our programs and meet the needs of our future fellows. Through learning about innovations within other fellowship programs, understanding how professionalism expectations can change to meet the contemporary fellow, and considering the career trajectories for med-peds trained residents, we hope that the session will encourage program directors to assess their own programs and consider opportunities for improvement/innovation.

Chair:

Robert Stern, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA, United States

Speakers:

Rakhi P. Naik Jr, MD, MHS
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, United States
Innovations Large and Small in Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Training Part 1

Lisa Pei Chu I, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center
Aurora, CO, United States
Innovations Large and Small in Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Training Part 2

Jennifer Yui Jr, MD, MSc
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States
Innovations Large and Small in Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Training Part 3

Yannis Valtis, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY, United States
Med Peds Path to Heme/Onc Training Part 1

John Molina, MD, MEd
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH, United States
Med Peds Path to Heme/Onc Training Part 2

Jennifer Kesselheim, MD, MEd
Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
Boston, MA, United States
Professionalism Part 1

Jennifer Cooperrider, MD
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL, United States
Professionalism Part 2

Treating Fairly Rounds Lunch

The Treating Fairly Rounds Lunch session will

Introduce the role of language (and cultural diversity) in the delivery of health care for non-English speaking populations
Discuss the impact of language barrier on the utilization of old and novel therapies, patient compliance, safety, and disease outcomes
Present potential solutions to overcome some of the challenges posed by language barriers and improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Speakers:

Rahma Warsame, MD
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN, United States
Healthcare Access to Non-English Speaking Populations - Presenter 1

Cesar Rodriguez Valdes, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, NY, United States
Healthcare Access to Non-English Speaking Populations - Presenter 2

Updated ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Older Adults

In this session, speakers will highlight recommendations from the updated ASH guidelines on AML in older adults and will discuss important considerations for the application of the recommendations in practice.

Chair:

Mikkael Sekeres, MD
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami
Miami, FL, United States

Speakers:

Kah Poh (Melissa) Loh, MD, MS
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, NY, United States
Treatment Options for Older Adults with AML: Recommendations on Low-Dose Cytarabine, Azacitidine, and Decitabine Regimens as Monotherapy or Combinations

Luca Malcovati, MD
University of Pavia and IRCCS S. Matteo Hospital Foundation
Pavia, PV, Italy
Treatment Options for Older Adults with AML and IDH1/IDH2 Mutations: Recommendations on HMA Monotherapy, Combinations with Venetoclax, and Targeted Therapies

Maria R. Baer, MD
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD, United States
Recommendations for Treatment for Older Adults with AML and FLT3 Mutations

Updated ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) in Adults

In this session, speakers will highlight recommendations from an upcoming revision to the ASH ITP guidelines focused on second-line therapies. Speakers will also discuss important considerations for the application of the recommendations in practice

Chair:

Douglas Cines Sr, Prof
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, United States

Speakers:

Sylvain Audia, MD, PhD
University of Bourgogne
Dijon, Bourgogne, France
Should adults with primary ITP requiring initial treatment receive steroids alone or steroids in combination with an additional agent? Recommendations from the ASH Guidelines

Camila Masias, MD, MPH
Miami Cancer Institute
Miami, FL, United States
What treatment should be given to adults with primary ITP who require therapy beyond steroids? Recommendations from the ASH Guidelines

Donald Arnold, MD
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Considerations on the Role of Splenectomy and Switching TPOs After Treatment Failure

Women in Hematology Networking Event

This popular annual networking event will provide a space where all can gather and connect with peers and potential mentors. The panel will explore the theme of transitions—an important and relevant topic that offers valuable, actionable insights for navigating change in both personal and professional life. Light refreshments available during the panel; please join us for a post-panel reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Speakers:

Leslie Ellis, MD
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston Salem, NC, United States

Ann Mullally, MD
Stanford University School of Medicine
Boston, MA, United States

Tammuella Chrisentery-Singleton
ATHN/Ochsner Clinic Foundation
New Orleans, LA, United States

Blood Journals Studio

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How I Treat

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How I Incorporate Mutational Profiling into Treatment of AML: Considerations Based on Age, Complex Cytogenetics, and Other Clinical Factors

Speaker:

Jessica Kaplan Altman, MD
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Buffalo, NY, United States

How I Incorporate Novel Therapies into Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment: Frontline vs. Relapse

Speaker:

Alex Francisco Herrera, MD
City of Hope
Duarte, CA, United States

How I Navigate Arterial Thrombosis: A Hematologist's Perspective

Speaker:

Jori May, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL, United States

How I Optimize Hemophilia Management: The Role of Novel Treatments

Speaker:

Mark Reding, MD
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN, United States

How I Treat Baby on Board: Managing the Hematological Pregnant Patient

Speaker:

Sarah O'Brien
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH, United States

How I Treat Clinical Management of Refractory ITP

Speaker:

Sandhya Panch, MD
University of Washington
Seattle, WA, United States

How I Treat Isolated CNS Relapse of B-ALL in the Era of Immunotherapy

Speaker:

Colleen Annesley, MD
University of Washington
Seattle, WA, United States

How I Treat Multiple Myeloma Progression after Upfront Quadruplet Therapy

Speaker:

Luciano Jose Costa, MD, PhD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL, United States

How I Treat the Balancing Act of Anticoagulant Management in Hemoglobinopathies

Speaker:

Ted Wun, MD
University of California, Davis
Sacramento, CA, United States

How I Use NGS in the Pre and Post-HSCT and Cell Therapy Setting

Speaker:

Michael Pulsipher, MD
University of Utah Health
Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Meet the Scientist

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Meet The Scientist: Clonal Evolution in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Speaker:

Ulrich Steidl Jr, PhD, MD
Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Einstein
Bronx, NY, United States

Meet The Scientist: Genomics and Targeted Therapy in Pediatric Acute Leukemia

Speaker:

Yana Pikman, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, MA, United States

Meet The Scientist: Hematopoietic Clones - To Be or Not to Be

Speaker:

Benjamin Ebert
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA, United States

Meet the Scientist: Molecularly Targeted Therapies in Lymphoma

Speaker:

Oliver Weigert, MD
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Munich, Germany

Meet The Scientist: Myeloma Biology and Therapy

Speaker:

Lawrence H Boise, PhD
Emory University
Atlanta, GA, United States

Meet The Scientist: Never Go Into Transplant Waters Alone

Speaker:

Sonata Jodele, MD
Cinncinati Children's
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Meet The Scientist: Novel Genetic Markers in Blood Transfusion for Improved Matching

Speaker:

Stella T Chou, MD
University of Pennsylavania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, PA, United States

Meet The Scientist: Somatic Genetic Rescue in Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes – Friend or Foe?

Speaker:

Marcin W Wlodarski, MD, PhD
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN, United States

Population Health

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Education Program

Our Patient Is Pregnant: Comanaging Obstetric Patients With Complex Hematologic Issues During Their Pregnancy and Delivery

Pregnant women comprise a population with exceptionally challenging sets of problems for the consulting hematologist. This session, held in conjunction with the Foundation for Women & Girls with Blood Disorders will focus on three sets of hematologic problems faced by pregnant women. In many cases, there are no evidence-based guidelines for optimal management, but only expert opinion and case series, making management decisions even more challenging.

Dr. Bethany Samuelson Bannow will present the risks and hemostatic changes associated with pregnancy in individuals with and without bleeding disorders. Essential components of delivery planning in patients with bleeding disorders will be discussed, including mode of delivery and neuraxial anesthesia.

Dr. Donald Arnold will review management of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in pregnancy, including management of refractory ITP and what is known about use of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in pregnancy.

Dr. Lydia Pecker will present best practices for management of high-risk pregnancies in patients with sickle cell disease and how to proactively strategize to best improve outcomes for both moms and babies.

Chair:

Alice Ma , MD
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Speakers:

Bethany Samuelson Bannow , MD, PhD
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, OR, United States
Pregnancy Management for Patients with Bleeding Disorders

Donald Arnold , MD
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON, Canada
A Practical Approach to Immune Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy

Lydia Pecker , MD
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, United States
Proactive Management to Improve Outcomes in High-Risk Sickle Cell Disease Pregnancy

Update in Hemophilia Across the Lifespan: Novel Therapies/Gene Therapy/Issues in Older Patients

Driven by remarkable scientific achievements over the last half-century, the life expectancy of individuals with severe hemophilia has reached that of the general population. Tailoring therapy to each patient’s deficiency, age, clinical circumstances, and life goals requires treating clinicians to be knowledgeable about therapeutic options to support shared decision-making.

This session provides an update on hemophilia across the lifespan, covering the broad array of current therapies, their mechanism of action, and application in clinical practice.

The first talk provides an overview of gene therapy for hemophilia, which has arrived in the clinic with two approved medications — one for hemophilia A and one for hemophilia B. The basics of gene therapy and their application to clinical practice will be addressed. Dr. Guy Young will "deconstruct" gene therapy by explaining the various components and delivery systems, followed by a brief review of approved products, clinical trial results, and a discussion of novel approaches for hemophilia gene therapy under study. Lastly, gene therapy center logistics and patient selection will be presented.

In the second talk, Dr. Mark Reding will discuss the evolution of the treatment landscape over the last decade, and how the introduction of several therapies with novel mechanisms of action has created new challenges for clinicians to select optimal individual treatment. The development of extended half-life factor products, factor VIII mimetics, and rebalancing therapies will be reviewed. This talk emphasizes the treatment consideration complexity and the need for a nuanced approach to patient/family education to align with the shared decision-making model of care.

In the third talk, Dr Lim will provide a discussion on issues related to aging patients with hemophilia. Medical conditions affecting the general population are observed in aging hemophilia patients; these conditions include, but are not limited to, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and malignancy. Monitoring, preventative care, and treatment of these conditions often represent gaps in care for the hemophilia population; primary care providers may be hesitant to provide needed interventions and/or patients may have difficulty identifying a consistent primary care provider. Specific issues related to hemophilia sequela, including liver and bone health, gait instability, and risk for falls and fractures, must be considered. The need for adequate support for aging individuals and the potential development of frailty is amplified when continued underlying bleeding disorder treatment is required with other medical conditions. Through current treatment advances that support decreased risk of hemophilia-associated sequela, and increased general health preventative measures, the hemophilia population may realize improved longevity while maintaining “wellness," while also achieving personal goals and best outcomes.

Chair:

Amy Shapiro , MD
Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center
Indianapolis, IN, United States

Speakers:

Mark Reding , MD
University of Minnesota Medical School
Minneapolis, MN, United States
New Therapies in Hemophilia: Extend the Half-Life, Bypass, or Rebalance?

Guy Young , MD
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Deconstructing Gene Therapy in Hemophilia for the Clinician

Ming Lim
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT, United States
The Ageing Hemophilia Patient

Scientific Program

CARs for Kids: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy for Childhood Leukemias

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has transformed the treatment landscape of pediatric leukemias, achieving remission rates in children with otherwise refractory disease. Yet, despite its promise, significant challenges remain in achieving durable remissions, expanding efficacy beyond B-cell malignancies, and safely applying this approach across diverse leukemia subtypes. This session will explore the latest translational and clinical advances driving the next generation of CAR-T therapies for childhood leukemias. Together, the talks featured in this session will provide a forward-looking view of how cutting-edge CAR-T innovations are reshaping pediatric leukemia treatment—from B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—and paving the way toward broader, more durable cures.

Dr. Sara Ghorashian will review clinical outcomes in relapsed and refractory B-cell ALL and discuss novel strategies to enhance CAR-T efficacy, mitigate relapse, and evaluate the potential for introducing CAR-T earlier in therapy.

Dr. Maksim Mamonkin will address the unique challenges of developing CAR-T therapy for T-cell ALL. His presentation will highlight innovative antigen-targeting approaches, and engineering strategies to overcome T-cell self-death and aplasia, and the most recent results from emerging clinical trials that signal progress in this difficult leukemia subtype.

Dr. Michaela Velasquez will focus on solutions to two critical barriers in AML: antigen heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. She will discuss dual-targeted CAR constructs and preclinical immunocompetent models designed to optimize therapeutic efficacy.

Chair:

Julie Jaffray , MD
Rady Children's Hospital, University of California, San Diego
San Diego, CA, United States

Speakers:

Sara Ghorashian , FRCPath, PhD
Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
London, ENG, United Kingdom
CAR T-Cell Breakthroughs: Shaping the Future of B-Cell ALL Treatment

Maksim Mamonkin , PhD
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX, United States
T-Cell ALL Meets CAR-T: Advancements and Breakthroughs

Mireya Paulina Velasquez , MD
St. Jude Children's Hospital
Memphis, TN, United States
Harnessing CAR-T: A New Era in AML Treatment

Scientific Spotlight Sessions

Bridging Translational Science and Clinical Trials to Transform Burkitt Lymphoma Research Globally

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an ultra-aggressive B-cell lymphoma with significant global disparities in outcomes, particularly in low-resource regions such as Central Africa and South America. Its rarity and rapid clinical course pose unique challenges for translational and clinical research. Historically, BL treatment has relied on adaptations of intensive chemotherapy, with little consideration for molecular and genomic features. Additionally, BL patients have been excluded from trials of immune-based therapies that have revolutionized the treatment of other aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Recent breakthroughs in BL genomics, tumor microenvironment research, and global collaborative efforts have opened new avenues for targeted and immunotherapy-based strategies.

This session will review these advances and their implications for future research. The first talk will focus on recent insights into BL biology, including genomics, immune microenvironment features, and emerging molecular targets in the context of upcoming clinical trials incorporating adoptive immunotherapy in this disease. The second talk will highlight advances and challenges in translational and clinical research in Africa and other low-resource settings, covering recent pediatric BL studies, low-cost molecular diagnostics, and vaccination initiatives.

Speakers:

Mark Roschewski , MD
Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH
Bethesda, MD, United States
Translating Knowledge about Burkitt Lymphoma Genomics and Microenvironment into Novel Clinical Trials

Clara Chamba
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Burkitt Lymphoma Research in Africa: Overcoming Challenges and Unlocking Translational Potential

Special-Interest Sessions

ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency with and without Anemia

Chair:

Jacquelyn Powers , MD
Texas Children's Hematology Center
Houston, TX, United States

Speakers:

Imo Akpan , MD
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, NY, United States
Ferritin, TSAT, and how low is too low: Diagnosis of iron deficiency in adults

Layla Van Doren , MD, MBA
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, CT, United States
Menstruating individuals: Evidence-based ferritin thresholds

Michelle Sholzberg , MD
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON, Canada
Screening and defining iron deficiency in pregnant individuals

ASH Clinicians in Practice Lunch: Access to Critical Drugs: The Causes, Costs, and Campaigns

Chair:

Mary-Elizabeth Percival , MD
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Seattle, WA, United States

Speakers:

Emily Mackler
YesRX
Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Combatting drug shortages with drug repository programs

Brooke Boring
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
Milwaukee, WI, United States
Advocacy at the federal and state level and how practitioners can get engaged

Celebrating Diverse Voices: Enriching Hematology Lunch

How Can Community-Based and Academic Hematologists Foster Clinical Trial Participation as Part of Patient Care?

Chair:

Leonard Valentino
Rush University Medical Center
New York, NY, United States

Speakers:

Leonard Valentino
Rush University Medical Center
New York, NY, United States
Challenges to Clinical Trial Participation

Lanre Tunji-Ajayi , MS
Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario
Pickering, ON, Canada
Patient Perspective

John M. M. Burke , MD
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
Aurora, CO, United States
Engagement of Community Physicians in Clinical Trials

Fabio Dennstaedt
University Hospital and University of Bern
Bern, Switzerland
Moving Patients to Participants in Hematology Clinical Trials

Stephanie Valer Seremetis , MD
Novo Nordisk A/S
Plainsboro, NJ, United States
Industry Perspective

Alysha Croker
Health Canada
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Government Perspective

Jeffrey Keefer , MD, PhD
IQVIA
Keswick, VA, United States
Contract Research Organization Perspective

Michelle Feige
Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP)
Washington, DC, United States
Institutional Review Board Perspective

Leveraging Genetic Diversity in Preclinical Discovery to Guide Precision Medicine

Speakers:

Kellie Machlus , PhD
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States
Discovery Based on Population Structure: How to Faithfully Understand and Functionalize Novel Treatments

Adam J de Smith
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Decoding Bias in Disease Risk: The Role of Ancestry and Genomic Variant Clustering

Jesse Boehm Jr
Break Through Cancer
Cambridge, United States
Moving Towards Precision Medicine: Influence of Germline and Ancestry on Preclinical Target Discovery

LGBTQIA+ Community Networking Brunch

Updated ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Older Adults

Chair:

Mikkael Sekeres , MD
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami
Miami, FL, United States

Speakers:

Kah Poh (Melissa) Loh , MD, MS
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, NY, United States
Treatment Options for Older Adults with AML: Recommendations on Low-Dose Cytarabine, Azacitidine, and Decitabine Regimens as Monotherapy or Combinations

Luca Malcovati , MD
University of Pavia and IRCCS S. Matteo Hospital Foundation
Pavia, PV, Italy
Treatment Options for Older Adults with AML and IDH1/IDH2 Mutations: Recommendations on HMA Monotherapy, Combinations with Venetoclax, and Targeted Therapies

Maria R. Baer , MD
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD, United States
Recommendations for Treatment for Older Adults with AML and FLT3 Mutations

Scientific Spotlight

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Bridging Translational Science and Clinical Trials to Transform Burkitt Lymphoma Research Globally

Speakers:

Mark Roschewski, MD
Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH
Bethesda, MD, United States
Translating Knowledge about Burkitt Lymphoma Genomics and Microenvironment into Novel Clinical Trials

Clara Chamba
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Burkitt Lymphoma Research in Africa: Overcoming Challenges and Unlocking Translational Potential

Creative and Novel Statistical Techniques to Design and Analyze Data for Trials Focused on Rare Hematologic Diseases

This session will highlight novel statistical methods and unique design and analysis considerations for clinical trials focused on rare hematologic diseases. It will provide a unique platform for interactive discussion and knowledge sharing on statistical design/analysis of clinical studies, for the clinical community.

Chair:

Fangxin Hong
Pfizer Inc
Cambridge, MA, United States

Speakers:

Arzu Onar-Thomas
St Jude's Children Hospital
Memphis, TN, United States
Rational Compromises in Trial Design for Rare Diseases - Lessons from Pediatric Cancer

Ernest Amankwah
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
St Petersburg, United States
Design and Application of RCT for Rare/Low-Frequency Diseases: From Traditional Parallel-Cohort to Novel Contemporaneous Control Recapture

Epigenomic Frontiers in the Diagnosis of Hematological Malignancies

The rapid and accurate diagnosis of acute leukemias remains a significant challenge in hematopathology. Traditional diagnostic methods often fall short in providing timely and precise classification, which is crucial for effective treatment planning. Recent advancements in next-generation and third-generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized our ability to read out nucleotide sequences and epigenetic modifications, such as chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation. These technologies offer a promising avenue for improving the diagnostic accuracy and speed for hematological malignancies.

By leveraging long-read sequencing and chromatin analysis, researchers are now able to classify leukemias more accurately and rapidly than ever before. These innovative approaches enhance our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of these malignancies and are entering evaluation in clinical trials.

This session will highlight cutting-edge developments in epigenomic and chromatin-based diagnostics.

Chair:

Bert Van der Reijden, PhD
Radboudumc
Nijmegen, Netherlands

Speakers:

Volker Hovestadt, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA, United States
Long-Read Epigenomic Classification of Acute Leukemia

Florence Nguyen-Khac
Centre de recherche des Cordeliers/INSERM1138
Paris, France
Chromatin-Based Diagnosis in Lymphocytic Leukemia

The Issue of Rejection of Allogeneic Cellular Therapies: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Novel Strategies to Overcome It

Allogeneic cell therapies offer significant advantages over autologous approaches, including reduced production times and broader accessibility for patients with rapidly progressing malignancies. However, immune rejection remains a critical challenge, as the host immune system often identifies and eliminates donor-derived cells through both adaptive and innate mechanisms. To address these barriers, researchers are developing innovative strategies such as genetic engineering to delete major histocompatibility complex molecules, overexpress immune checkpoint ligands, and disrupt key signaling pathways in innate immune cells. Additionally, immune cloaking techniques, like expressing CD47 to inhibit macrophage-mediated phagocytosis, and advancements in genome editing technologies, including CRISPR-Cas9, are being explored to enhance the persistence and efficacy of allogeneic cells.

This session will explore the breakthroughs aimed at overcoming immune rejection in allogeneic cell therapies.

Speakers:

Marco Ruella Jr, MD
Abramson Cancer Center
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Current Clinical Evidence of Allogeneic Cellular Products Failure and Mechanisms

May Daher, MD, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX, United States
Strategies to Reduce Immune Rejection of Off-the-Shelf Cell Therapies

Transcending Boundaries: Study of Ambiguous Lineage Acute Leukemia Unlocks Mysteries for All Leukemias

The most recent 2022 World Health Organization and 2022 International Consensus Classification for myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia each provided detailed descriptions of the current criteria for diagnosis of acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage and mixed phenotype acute leukemia. There have been large analyses of molecular data highlighting the breadth and heterogeneity of the individual patient samples, and literature defining the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell as the cell of origin.

These analyses have led to new genes and pathways that can be targeted with therapeutic intent. This session will provide an overview of cell lineage leading to acute leukemias and will highlight possible novel targets.

Speakers:

Catherine Smith, MD
University of California at San Francisco
San Francisco, CA, United States
Multi-omic Analysis Reveals the Heterogeneity and Stem Cell Origin of Acute Leukemia of Ambiguous Lineage/Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia

Ruud Delwel
Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Epigenetic Dysregulation Drives Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia

Scientific Symposia

Jump to:

Discovering the Biology of Hematopoiesis Through Studies of Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes

Studies exploring the germline genetic causes of inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) provide important opportunities to understand the mechanisms of normal and abnormal hematopoiesis. This session will feature the latest studies using IBMFS as models to identify the cellular and molecular underpinnings of hematopoiesis.

Fundamental insight into abnormal ribosome biogenesis and the tissue specific phenotypes of human ribosomopathies will be discussed, using the selective defects in erythropoiesis in Diamond-Blackfan anemia syndrome as a model. Attendees will be updated on the connections between aberrations in telomere biology genes associated with bone marrow failure and telomere function in hematopoiesis. Updates on new mechanisms by which genotoxic aldehydes contribute to aging phenotypes in Fanconi anemia will be presented, with implications for understanding the link between hematopoiesis and aging and its relevance to cancer development.

Taken together, this session will show how lessons from IBMFS can be translated to stem cell biology, aging and cancer.

Chair:

Austin G. Kulasekararaj, MD, MBBS, FRCPath, MRCP

Speakers:

Deena Iskander
Imperial
London, United Kingdom
The Role of Ribosome Dysregulation in Erythropoiesis

Luis Batista
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, United States
The Connections Between Telomere Biology and Hematopoiesis

Meng Wang
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY, United States
Genotoxic Aldehydes, DNA Repair, and Premature Aging in Fanconi Anemia

Hematopoiesis in the Golden Years: Aging, Epigenetic Landscapes, and Clonal Destiny

The role of chronological age as predisposition for disease development is undebated. However, in depth understanding of genetic, epigenetic, metabolic and other mechanisms causing age-induced alterations that increase the predisposition for the development of blood-born disease are unresolved. High-dimensional analysis are broadly used in the context of aging and disease addressing fundamental alterations in hematopoiesis and clonal contributions to benign and malignant hematopoiesis.

This session will focus on recent advances in understanding the regulation of hematopoiesis in response to the stem cell microenvironment but also more broadly to systemic factors and it will also address approaches to reverse potentially harmful molecular alterations. Attendees will be exposed to recent advances in the field of hematopoietic stem cell regulation with the context of its native environment.

Chair:

Stephanie Halene
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT, United States

Speakers:

Marta Derecka, PhD
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN, United States
Context Matters: HSC Regeneration in the Cellular Niche

Leif Ludwig
Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Tic, Toc: Cell Intrinsic Regul

Eirini Trompouki
Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Cote d'Azur, 06107, Nice, France.
Nice, France
Preventing Fires: Targeting Strategies to Mitigate Clonal Evolution

Ouch-it Hurts: Mechanisms of the Origin, Perception and Evolution of Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

The understanding and treatment of pain in many genetically inherited red blood cell disorders such as sickle cell disease (SCD) and hemophilia remain understudied, while individuals with these rare diseases continue to suffer and lead a poor quality of life since childhood. Individuals with SCD suffer with debilitating and often life-threatening and unpredictable episodes of acute pain of “crises,” in addition to lifelong chronic pain. Opioids are the mainstay of pain therapy but remain challenging due to side effects and stigma. A critical unmet need is to identify how organ damage, sickle cell pathobiology, social determinants of health, and curative therapies influence SCD pain?

This session will present the current understanding of mechanisms underlying sickle cell pain, revealing treatable targets for the development of novel interventions to prevent/treat pain. It will highlight novel molecular and cellular mechanism based pharmacologic and integrative approaches and advancement in non-invasive technology to treat pain with potential for translation to the clinics.

Chair:

Hyacinth Hyacinth
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Speakers:

Kalpna Gupta, PhD
University of California, Irvine, CA
Orange, CA, United States
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Sickle Cell Pathobiology and Neural Mechanisms that Evoke, Maintain and Perceive Pain

Bin He
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Treat the Pain in My Brain: Understanding Neuromodulation and Technology Enhanced Interventions for Sickle Cell Disease Pain

Manisha Madkaikar
ICMR-National Institute of Immunohaematology
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
It Refuses to Leave: The Challenging Bone Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

Special Symposium on the Basic Science in Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Wound healing is a highly coordinated process composed of distinct but interdependent phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. The precise timing of each phase is essential for effective tissue repair and the prevention of excessive scarring. This session will highlight the critical contributions of platelets, the coagulation cascade, and the fibrinolytic system in promoting optimal cutaneous wound healing.

The session will also explore the intricate mechanisms that regulate clot structure and influence wound healing at the intersection of hemostasis, vascular biology, and platelet function.

If you are attending the meeting in Orlando, following this session, please join ASH leadership and your colleagues at the ASH Networking Reception for the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Community, taking place just outside the room in the Valencia Lobby, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Speakers:

Ashley Brown
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC, United States
Clots, Cuts, and Healing: The Dynamic trio of Coagulation, Platelets, and Fibrinolysis

Tirthadipa Pradhan-Sundd, PhD
Versiti Blood Research Institute
Milwaukee, WI, United States
Blood, Clots, and Scars: Unraveling the Hidden Links Between Coagulation and Liver Cirrhosis

Oliver Borst
University of Tuebingen
Tübingen, Germany
Lipoprotein(a) and Venous Thromboembolism: A Silent Culprit or Innocent Bystander?

Targeting Cancer Metabolism – Innovative Methods to Translation

Cancer cells exhibit heightened context-specific metabolism, driven in part by specific genetic lesions (translocations/mutations) and microenvironmental constraints. Intrinsic tumor metabolism has profound implications on therapy sensitivity and resistance. Despite identification of small molecule metabolic inhibitors, targeting metabolism has been challenging given the plasticity of cellular metabolism and toxicity in normal cells. Testing metabolic inhibitors more comprehensively in immune competent models and identification of synthetically lethal strategies can overcome barriers to targeting cancer metabolism. A re-interest in tumor metabolism has emerged from a better understanding of why cells engage aerobic glycolysis i.e. the Warburg effect and identification of oncometabolites like 2-HG. Serum metabolites including 2-HG have aided in stratifying AML prognosis. Diet and microbial derived metabolites also are emerging as important regulators of therapy sensitivity.

This session will review mechanisms of tumor-specific metabolism, and insights on how extrinsic metabolites impact therapy sensitivity and resistance will be highlighted. The session will also shed light on approaches that have informed researchers’ understanding of cancer metabolism including the identification of therapeutic strategies for heme malignancies.

Chair:

Mala Shanmugam
Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University
Atlanta, GA, United States

Speakers:

Matthew Vander Heiden, MD, PhD
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA, United States
Nutrient Environment Considerations for Understanding Leukemia Therapy

Jeffrey C Rathmell
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL, United States
Metabolic Sources of Immune Cell Dysfunction

Andrew Intlekofer
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY, United States
Enzyme Hyperactivation to Target Oncometabolism

ASH Studio

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A Holistic Approach: The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. & The Sickle Cell Sanctuary

As part of our commitment to excellence through expansion and inclusion, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) is offering the ASH Treating Fairly Talks. This inclusive space is designed to help attendees recognize the drivers of differing outcomes for various populations as viewed through the hematology lens and provide tools to make changes in their institutions. These sessions will include a short expert commentary followed by facilitated conversations about actions that can be taken to drive change at your institution. The Treating Fairly Talks will take place at the ASH Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Ms. Tabatha McGee, CEO of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc., will present on successful community-centric initiatives for sickle cell disease.

Breaking Barriers in Blood Cancer: Transforming Access and Outcomes Across Populations

Dr. Tina Bhatnagar will present on the impact of geography on care.

Breaking Financial Barriers to Care Through Affordable Innovation

Dr. Andres Gomez-De Leon will present on the financial factors to accessing care.

From Precision Medicine to Personalized Care: Meeting Patients Where They Are

Dr. Eneida Nemecek will present on tailoring care for optimal patient outcomes.

Impact of Geography on Care

Dr. Norma Ada will present on the impact of geography on care.

Promoting Language Equity in Care and Research

Dr. Alisa Khan will present on the importance of language on outcomes of care.

ASH Wellness Studio

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Brain-Boosting Break

Enhance mental health & performance with this research-proven ancient practice! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Kulvinder Kaur
Infinity Wellness Partners
Carlsbad, CA, United States

Center Yourself

Calm the mind & reconnect with the present moment when experiencing stress! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Jesse Lewis
Infinity Wellness Partners
Washington, DC, United States

Emotional Freedom Technique

Manage emotionally-charged moments discreetly, quickly, & effectively! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Kulvinder Kaur
Infinity Wellness Partners
Carlsbad, CA, United States

Happy Hands and Wrists

Try these tiny, yet terrific tweaks to shortcut hand & wrist strain! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Krystol Hines
Infinity Wellness Partners
District Heights, MD, United States

Movement Bites

Re-energize your body & reboot your mind with 1-minute of motion! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Jesse Lewis
Infinity Wellness Partners
Washington, DC, United States

Plug Into Nature

Step away from your screen & plug into the power of the great outdoors! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Jesse Lewis
Infinity Wellness Partners
Washington, DC, United States

Reignite Your Resilience

Experience more clarity & resilience during the workday in a few slow, deep breaths! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Kulvinder Kaur
Infinity Wellness Partners
Carlsbad, CA, United States

Reset Your Posture

Discover the secret microbreak of perfecting your posture! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Krystol Hines
Infinity Wellness Partners
District Heights, MD, United States

Shake It Off

Release pent-up tension & heavier emotions to lift your mood in seconds! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Jesse Lewis
Infinity Wellness Partners
Washington, DC, United States

Snacks For Better Fuel

Learn how & when to make healthy snacking the easy, fast, & tasty choice! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Jesse Lewis
Infinity Wellness Partners
Washington, DC, United States

Sneaky Ways to Move More

Enjoy these 30-second, disguised exercises for a busy workday! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Krystol Hines
Infinity Wellness Partners
District Heights, MD, United States

The Chair Check

Sit smarter with this 1-minute activity designed to decompress the lower back! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Krystol Hines
Infinity Wellness Partners
District Heights, MD, United States

The Typing Timeout

A stretching sequence to loosen the upper body when doing computer work! This session will take place at the ASH Wellness Studio, located in ASH Central (Orange County Convention Center, West Hall C).

Speaker:

Krystol Hines
Infinity Wellness Partners
District Heights, MD, United States