#United States #ASH 2024 #Rutgers Cancer Institute #RWJBarnabas Health #New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health Showcase Innovative Blood Cancer Research at ASH 2024

As advancements in the field of oncology continue to evolve, the Rutgers Cancer Institute, in collaboration with RWJBarnabas Health, is ready to present groundbreaking research on blood cancers at the 66th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), scheduled to take place from December 7 to 10, 2024, in San Diego, California, and online. This prestigious event will highlight the institute’s latest clinical research, showcasing a rich collection of data that is pivotal for the future of hematologic treatments.

The Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Jersey's sole Comprehensive Cancer Center recognized by the National Cancer Institute, will present 66 abstracts during the meeting. This includes 21 oral presentations and 39 poster presentations, along with various special interest sessions and workshops. The enlightening array of findings aims to deepen the understanding and clinical approaches towards blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and disorders like sickle cell disease.

Commitment to Improving Patient Care

Dr. Matthew Matasar, Chief of the Division of Blood Disorders at Rutgers Cancer Institute, emphasizes the institution’s unwavering commitment to enhancing patient outcomes. He states, “At the heart of our research efforts is a commitment to improving patients' lives and serving our community. This promise is shared by our nationally recognized team of cancer specialists, who work tirelessly to translate groundbreaking discoveries into the best options for our patients.”

Highlights of Presentations

Among the notable studies featured at ASH 2024, the following findings are particularly striking:

1. Prognostication in Hodgkin Lymphoma: A robust study involving 1,240 patients utilized big data to enhance prognostic accuracy for advanced-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). By leveraging multistate modeling and analyzing key clinical indicators, researchers significantly refined patient risk assessments throughout the disease trajectory.

2. Linvoseltamab in Multiple Myeloma: Researchers conducted extensive evaluations of a bispecific antibody, linvoseltamab, focusing on patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The study assessed durability of response, progression-free survival, and response duration, particularly within high-risk groups, marking a significant step forward in personalized myeloma therapies.

3. Efficacy of odronextamab: This study explored the efficacy of odronextamab in patients with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who had previously experienced disease progression following CAR T-cell therapy. A comprehensive analysis measured response rates and progression-free survival, bringing new insights for challenging treatment scenarios.

4. Real-world Evidence for CLL: Using a vast electronic health record database, a real-world study compared survival outcomes across differing treatment sequences in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) patients, revealing critical insights for clinical decision-making.

5. Scoring for Infection Risk: An assessment of CAR-HEMATOTOX scoring in predicting infection risks following treatment with odronextamab among patients with DLBCL and follicular lymphoma highlighted the ongoing efforts to ensure patient safety during innovative therapies.

Conclusion

The impressive body of research presented by the Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health underscores their ongoing dedication to clinical excellence, innovative therapies, and the relentless pursuit of improving cancer care. As these findings are unveiled at ASH 2024, the impact on current treatment paradigms and future cancer research can’t be overstated. Together, they aim to eradicate blood cancers and lead patients towards a brighter, healthier future. As Dr. Matasar aptly states, “We remain singularly focused on my, and our, goal to end blood cancers and disorders entirely.”

For more information on the presentations and ongoing research, visit the ASH Annual Meeting website or the Rutgers Cancer Institute’s dedicated channels.