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At the 2026 National ICE-T Conference in Orlando, CancerNetwork® sat down with a variety of expert researchers and clinicians to discuss the latest developments in immune effector therapy across different hematologic oncology populations. Sessions at the meeting covered practical considerations for integrating CAR T-cell therapies, bispecific antibodies, and other modalities into the treatment of those with multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and other hematologic malignancies.First, Benjamin Diamond, MD, an assistant professor of Clinical Medicine, a member of the Sylvester Myeloma Institute, and a member of the Myeloma Genomic Lab at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, spoke about his presentation reviewing bispecific antibodies for the management of multiple myeloma. In his session, Diamond stated that bispecific T-cell engagers are altering the landscape of multiple myeloma care and will eventually become an option in the frontline setting. With many products to choose from, Diamond emphasized sequencing these novel therapies wisely and stressed aggressive infection prophylaxis as a mandatory facet of care.Next, Tiba Al Sagheer, PharmD, BCOP, BCACP, a pharmacy quality improvement coordinator for transplant and cellular therapy at Miami Cancer Institute of Baptist Health South Florida discussed her presentation focused on defining new thresholds for monitoring and mitigating toxicities associated with CAR T-cell therapy. She described considerations for balancing early toxicity intervention against the risk of blunting efficacy depending on the specific CAR T-cell product used during treatment. Ultimately, she noted that that there is still no definitive answer or threshold for initiating prophylaxis for toxicity associated with CAR T, and that differentiating between immune effector cell (IEC)–associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)–like syndrome (IEC-HS) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) represents an ongoing challenge in the field.Finally, Nikesh N. Shah, MD, and Carlos Silva Rondon, MD, shared their perspectives on a debate regarding the roles of bispecific antibodies and CAR T-cell therapies in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. In his presentation, Shah, a hematologist-oncologist at Tampa General Hospital who specializes in hematologic malignancies, including aggressive lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, took the position that bispecific antibodies should be used prior to CAR T-cell therapy for most patients, although both treatments have utility in the field. Silva Rondon, a hematologist, oncologist, and bone marrow transplant specialist at Moffitt Malignant Hematology and Cellular Therapy at Memorial Healthcare System/Memorial Cancer Institute in Pembroke Pines, advocated for CAR T-cell therapy during the debate but acknowledged that both modalities can make up a complementary strategy for overcoming relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma.References Diamond B. Bispecific antibodies for the management of multiple myeloma. Presented at the 2026 National ICE-T Conference; July 18, 2026; Orlando, FL. Sagheer TA. Thresholds and therapeutics: a precision approach to CAR T toxicity management. Presented at the 2026 National ICE-T Conference; July 18, 2026; Orlando, FL. Shah N. Debate: bispecific antibodies vs CAR-T in follicular lymphoma. Presented at the 2026 National ICE-T Conference; July 18, 2026; Orlando, FL. Silva C. CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed follicular lymphoma. Presented at the 2026 National ICE-T Conference; July 18, 2026; Orlando, FL.

Following the FDA approval of allogeneic regulatory T cell–containing immunotherapy with hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) and T cells-vldq (Tregzi; Orca-T), CancerNetwork® spoke with Wendy Stock, MD, about what this decision means for the treatment of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for different hematologic malignancies. Additionally, she discussed how this option fits into the treatment landscape alongside other options like posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and other next steps for improving outcomes associated with matched donor transplants.Stock reviewed findings from the phase 3 Precision-T trial (NCT05316701) that supported the approval of Orca-T, noting that the data appeared to be “effective across all populations” for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and mixed-phenotype acute leukemia. Furthermore, she detailed what adoption of Orca-T might look like on an operational level, described the agent’s ability to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease, and emphasized referring patients early to transplantation.The approval, Stock said, marks the beginning of potentially allowing “higher-risk populations to move forward with the knowledge that it is possible to undergo transplant safely.” She noted that the FDA’s decision may inspire the field of transplant graft engineering to look more carefully at other options that might further improve transplantation outcomes.“Over the last 10 years, we have had incredibly exciting, still-to-be-tweaked methods for improving outcomes for patients undergoing transplant, which is such an important procedure for curing or [achieving] long-term survival for patients with acute leukemias and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes,” Stock said. “This is a big advance, and it needs to be studied further, including comparisons with other major improvements in the world of transplant, such as PTCy.”Stock is the Anjuli Seth Nayak Professor of Medicine, cochair of the Leukemia Committee for the National Cancer Institute–supported Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, and coleader of the Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics Research Program at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.References FDA approves allogeneic regulatory T cell-based immunotherapy with HSPC and T cells-vldq for use in matched donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for adults with hematologic malignancies. News release. FDA. June 30, 2026. Accessed July 15, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/38s3wznr Meyer EH, Salhotra A, Gandhi AP, et al. Orca-T vs allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Precision-T): a multicenter, randomized phase 3 trial. Blood. 2026;147(11):1168-1177. doi:10.1182/blood.2025031313

Experts discuss diagnosing and treating insomnia in patients with cancer through methods like sleep hygiene, CBT-I, and pharmacotherapy.Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms oncologists are asked to manage, yet it’s often treated reactively with medication rather than through a structured, history-driven approach. In this episode of Oncology On the Go, Daniel C. McFarland, DO, sat down with psychiatrist and psycho-oncologist Virginia C. O’Brien, MD, to unpack how clinicians can more effectively evaluate and treat insomnia in patients with cancer.The conversation opened with a foundational distinction: primary vs secondary insomnia, and why secondary insomnia—driven by anxiety, depression, pain, or cancer treatment itself—is far more common in oncology populations. O’Brien emphasized that the most frequent clinical mistake is jumping straight to a prescription instead of taking a thorough sleep history, including which phase of sleep is disrupted (falling asleep, staying asleep, or early waking) and whether the problem is affecting daytime functioning.From there, the discussion moved through practical sleep hygiene strategies clinicians can share with patients, such as limiting caffeine and screens, managing pets and partners in the bedroom, and setting a consistent nighttime routine. Then, they dove into cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), the first-line recommended treatment. O’Brien explained how sleep restriction works, why it’s often impractical during active chemotherapy, and how free digital tools like CBT-i Coach can help fill access gaps.The latter part of the discussion tackled pharmacologic management in detail: when medications are appropriate for acute insomnia; how to sequence options from least to most habit-forming; and specific guidance on trazodone (Desyrel), ramelteon (Rozerem), zolpidem (Ambien; including FDA dosing warnings for women), benzodiazepines, and newer orexin receptor antagonists. Special attention was given to older patients, those with a fall risk, and patients with a history of substance use disorder.The experts closed with guidance on when to refer to a sleep medicine specialist, including STOP-BANG screening for obstructive sleep apnea and red flags for parasomnias like REM sleep behavior disorder.McFarland is the director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Wilmot Cancer Center and a medical oncologist who specializes in head, neck, and lung cancer, in addition to being a psycho-oncology editorial advisory board member for the journal ONCOLOGY®. O’Brien is system director of Ambulatory Psychiatry at the Carilion Clinic.

In this episode of Oncology On the Go, CancerNetwork® spoke with Kim Stravers, an International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA)–certified end-of-life doula, educator, and trainer based in the Phoenix Valley, to explore how death doulas support patients with cancer and their families across all stages of the disease trajectory.Stravers opened by defining the scope of end-of-life doula work, clarifying that doulas provide nonmedical emotional, practical, and relational support to people confronting their mortality and those who care for them. She distinguished the role from hospice nursing and palliative care by emphasizing that doulas never act in a clinical capacity; they instead function as neutral companions who facilitate difficult conversations, help patients clarify their values and wishes, and advocate for individual autonomy across medical and personal decision-making. She also discussed her volunteer work within an interdisciplinary hospice team in Phoenix and described her invitation to speak at Grand Rounds for the Palliative Care Department at Mayo Clinic Arizona to introduce the role to clinical providers.When addressing cancer-specific experiences, Stravers noted that patients often come to her late in their trajectory, frequently within the 6-month hospice eligibility window, and described nonpharmacological techniques she uses to support breakthrough pain and existential distress, including body scans and guided visualization. She also shared a detailed patient case involving a woman with pancreatic cancer and Lynch syndrome whose daughter previously died of the same disease, describing how the shared diagnosis intensified the patient's anticipatory anxiety and how weekly doula visits helped provide periods of calm.Additional topics included the credentialing landscape for end-of-life doulas, which currently lacks a national licensure body, with organizations such as INELDA offering varied training and certification pathways. Stravers also addressed the portrayal of a death doula in the television drama The Pitt, affirming elements she found accurate while flagging several areas she viewed as outside the appropriate scope of doula practice. Stravers holds certification through INELDA, where she also serves as an educator and trainer, as well as proficiency through the National End-Of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA).

Experts discuss the evolving frontline CML treatment landscape, the impact of asciminib, and clinical strategies for achieving treatment-free remission.Once considered a terminal diagnosis, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase has been fundamentally rewritten as a highly manageable chronic condition. In this episode of Oncology on the Go, Joshua Zeidner, MD, and Jorge E. Cortes, MD, sat down to explore the rapidly shifting therapeutic paradigm of frontline CML management. The discussion tracked the monumental evolution of treatment from early bone marrow transplants to the introduction of imatinib (Gleevec) and subsequent generations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The experts dove deep into the practice-changing data from the phase 3 ASC4FIRST trial (NCT04971226), analyzing how the newly introduced STAMP inhibitor, asciminib (Scemblix), is challenging traditional treatment sequencing due to its superior efficacy and highly favorable toxicity profile.In the ASC4FIRST trial, the major molecular response (MMR) rate was 74.1% with asciminib vs 52.0% with other investigator-selected TKIs. The MMR rate at week 96 was consistently higher with asciminib vs other investigator-selected TKIs and imatinib across all assessed demographic and prognostic subgroups. Overall, investigators concluded that asciminib demonstrated a favorable risk-benefit profile compared with other standard therapies and presented a “valuable frontline option” for patients with CML in chronic phase.Zeidner and Cortes also shared practical clinical insights on: Shared Decision-Making: Tailoring frontline selections based on patient lifestyle, comorbidities, and preferences. Navigating Milestones: Balancing strict NCCN/European LeukemiaNet molecular response guidelines with individualized, real-world context. The Art of Discontinuation: Using strategic timing and criteria (such as achieving sustained MR4.5) to optimize success rates for treatment-free remission. The Next Frontier: Managing resistance mutations and mapping out second- and third-line therapies in an evolving post-asciminib landscape. Zeider is professor of medicine, chief of Leukemia Research, and director of Clinical Cancer Research Commercial Integration at the University of North Caroline-Chapel Hill Cancer Therapeutics Research Program. Cortes is associate director for Translation at the University of Alabama O’Neal Cancer Center. To watch the full discussion, visit: https://www.cancernetwork.com/between-the-lines/oncology-on-the-go-frontline-chronic-myeloid-leukemia-in-chronic-phase-optimizing-treatmentReferenceCortes JE, Hughes TP, Wang J, et al. Asciminib demonstrates superior efficacy and safety in newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in the ASC4FIRST trial. Blood. 2026;147(3):1433-1446. doi:10.1182/blood.2025029210

In this episode of Oncology On the Go, CancerNetwork® joined Matthew Matasar, MD, chief of the Division of Blood Disorders at Rutgers Cancer Institute/Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, and professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, as he dove into the practice-changing data reshaping the management of aggressive and indolent B-cell lymphomas. Fresh off the presentations at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, Matasar broke down the most talked-about datasets in the field. Matasar began by sharing his expert clinical perspectives on the phase 3 frontMIND trial (NCT04824092) evaluating tafasitamab (Monjuvi) plus lenalidomide (Revlimid) and rituximab (Rituxan) with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) in newly diagnosed high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which were concurrently published in The Lancet.1,2 He assessed how to balance the regimen’s progression-free survival benefit against incremental toxicities and scheduling demands. Furthermore, the conversation explored encouraging data regarding bispecific antibody combinations for older or frail patient populations, as well as innovative engineering strategies aimed at overcoming the challenging "fratricide" phenomenon in cellular therapies for relapsed T-cell lymphoma.“In terms of how we move from putative success with these studies into wider deployment, I am encouraged by the pace of community adoption of bispecific antibodies not just in lymphoma—where we have seen a very nice uptake over the last year—but in other disease states, including solid tumor malignancies,” Matasar said regarding the growth of bispecific antibodies in the field. “As the clear need to deploy these agents in a broader range of patients grows, the lymphoma community is going to benefit from that work, and we’ll see our community partners become increasingly capable of delivering these treatments. My expectation is that by the time these studies read out positively in the years to come, we will have an oncology community that is ready to meet those data where they are and deploy them in the best service of our patients.”References1. Lenz, G, Trněný M, Burke JM, et al. frontMIND: phase 3 study of tafasitamab (Tafa) plus lenalidomide (Len) and R-CHOP for patients (pts) with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). J Clin Oncol. 2026;44(suppl 17):LBA7000. doi:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.17_suppl.LBA70002. Lenz, G, Trněný M, Burke JM, et al. Tafasitamab plus lenalidomide and R-CHOP versus R-CHOP for first-line treatment of patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (frontMIND): a global, phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2026;407(10547):P2528-2541. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00866-4

In a special edition of Oncology On the Go, Chinmay Jani, MD, joined CancerNetwork® in the studio to speak about different research initiatives he is involved with across precision oncology. He discussed ongoing work dedicated to validating and applying artificial intelligence (AI)–based tools in clinical work as well as overcoming immunotherapy resistance among patients with lung cancer.Jani, chief fellow in Hematology and Oncology at University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, first detailed findings from a study he presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting evaluating AI decision support in the context of EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although AI systems aligned with expert decision-making in frontline treatment, significant divergence was observed in second-line care, highlighting a need for more rigorous validation and clinical safeguards when integrating AI into oncologic decision-making. Improving documentation and using tools more ethically, Jani said, will also be critical for future applications of AI in field.Jani also spoke about the rapidly evolving thoracic oncology field based on research he and colleagues are leading at the University of Miami. Different investigations are exploring potential advancements in precision medicine, overcoming immunotherapy resistance, and early cancer detection to help elevate outcomes among patients with lung cancer. Looking ahead, Jani emphasized how novel therapeutics like tarlatamab-dlle (Imdelltra) and the incorporation of liquid biopsy may assist with the goal of turning lung cancer into “a chronic disease” where patients can survive not just for a few month or years but for decades.According to Jani, other key concerns in the field include the evolving landscape surrounding adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, who may require different types of molecular testing and therapeutic needs compared with adult populations. Being able to detect more fusions and alterations that may inform therapeutic strategies via circulating tumor DNA plus circulating tumor RNA or through wider minimal residual disease testing, he said, represents another ongoing goal in terms of precision medicine.ReferenceJani C, Pérez-Granado J, Kalucha A, et al. Evaluating AI decision support in a rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape: EGFR-mutant metastatic NSCLC. J Clin Oncol. 2026;44(suppl 16):1630. doi:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.16_suppl.1630

Cancer is never convenient, and it never arrives when a patient is truly prepared, according to Daniel C. McFarland, DO, who began the most recent episode of Oncology On the Go with this sentiment. When individuals enter the high-stakes, highly coordinated world of oncology, they do so under extreme duress, often presenting the versions of themselves that are most under stress. In this environment, clinical teams frequently encounter behaviors that get unfairly lumped into the vague and pejorative category of the “difficult patient.” What happens when these challenges stem from an underlying personality disorder rather than just temporary situational anxiety? In this episode, McFarland was joined by psycho-oncology expert Kaleena Chilcote, MD, to unpack the inner workings of personality styles and disorders within oncologic science. Together, they explored the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) diagnostic framework, spanning the eccentric, dramatic, and anxious categories. They discussed how these enduring, pervasive traits impact a patient’s health care journey. Shifting the conversation away from the stigma of labels, McFarland and Chilcote delivered actionable, real-world advice for oncology teams. They discussed how to utilize objective, descriptive charting; initiate a pause to check your own provider emotions; and build highly consistent, structured boundaries. From managing frequent phone calls to intentionally scheduling short, high-frequency touchpoints, the pair provided a roadmap for turning interpersonal conflict into therapeutic collaboration, proving that underneath the defense mechanisms, every patient has a uniquely valuable strength to connect with. McFarland is the director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Wilmot Cancer Center and a medical oncologist who specializes in head, neck, and lung cancer, in addition to being a psycho-oncology editorial advisory board member for the journal ONCOLOGY®. Chilcote is director of Psycho-Oncology in the Department of Palliative and Supportive Care at the Taussig Cancer Center, part of the Cleveland Clinic.

In a live X Spaces discussion hosted by CancerNetwork® in collaboration with the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), Marc J. Braunstein, MD, PhD, and Sofia Zahid, MD, highlighted noteworthy presentations and abstracts in hematologic oncology at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Together, they discussed the data that may shake up clinical practice across different multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma populations.Braunstein is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and course co-director of the Hematology/Oncology System at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, as well as the fellowship program director of Hematology/Oncology at NYU Langone Health. Zahid is a first-year fellow at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine.The discussion focused on the following abstracts:· Abstract 7512o Combining belantamab mafodotin-blmf (Blenrep) with daratumumab (Darzalex), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and dexamethasone produced rapid activity among patients with transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in the phase 1/2 BelaDRd study (EUCT-2024-515634-32).o The progression-free survival (PFS) benefits observed in the trial support further evaluation of the quadruplet in a phase 3 study compared with other novel combination regimens in NDMM.· Abstract 6505o Revumenib (Revuforj) maintenance therapy after allogeneic stem cell transplantation showed feasibility in a heavily pretreated cohort of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).o Outcomes appeared favorable vs historical cohorts, supporting prospective assessment of maintenance menin inhibition among those with AML.· Abstract 1503o In a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records for 293 patients who received CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma (n = 175), multiple myeloma (n = 106), or B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 12), outpatient monitoring was associated with significantly fewer hospital days without increased emergency department visits or 30-day mortality.o These findings show the potential for lower healthcare utilization for patients who receive CAR T-cell therapy in the outpatient setting.· Abstract LBA7000o Adding tafasitamab (Monjuvi) and lenalidomide to rituximab (Rituxan), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) significantly improved PFS vs R-CHOP alone among those with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the phase 3 frontMIND trial (NCT04824092).o The data may support tafasitamab plus lenalidomide and R-CHOP as a potential new standard of care in the frontline treatment of patients with cell-of-origin subtypes of high-risk DLBCL.References Terpos E, Ntanasis-Stathopoulos I, Gavriatopoulou M, et al. Belantamab mafodotin with daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in transplant-ineligible, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: phase 1/2 BelaDRd study. J Clin Oncol. 2026;44(suppl 16):7512. doi:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.16_suppl.7512 Goulart H, Okeleji O, DiNardo CD, et al. Revumenib as maintenance for AML following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. J Clin Oncol. 2026;44(suppl 16):6505. doi:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.16_suppl.6505 Bowen SG, Abdallah N, Pritchett JC, et al. Impact of outpatient CAR T-cell therapy administration on healthcare utilization in patients with hematologic malignancies. J Clin Oncol. 2026;44(suppl 16):1503. doi:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.16_suppl.1503 Lenz, G, Trněný M, Burke JM, et al. frontMIND: phase 3 study of tafasitamab (Tafa) plus lenalidomide (Len) and R-CHOP for patients (pts) with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). J Clin Oncol. 2026;44(suppl 17):LBA7000. doi:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.17_suppl.LBA7000

In a conversation with CancerNetwork®, Nathan Goodyear, MD, spoke about the role that exercise and lifestyle intervention can play in the treatment of patients with cancer. He described how prescribed exercise may serve as a biologically interventional therapy that can help prolong longevity, reduce the risk of recurrence; and supplement the efficacy of standard therapeutic approaches like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery.Goodyear, an integrative medicine physician at the Williams Cancer Institute, pointed to literature indicating the potential benefits of structured exercise programs across different cancer populations. For example, data from the phase 3 CHALLENGE trial (NCT00819208) highlighted a lower risk of death and reduced recurrence following a 3-year structured program among patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer. Furthermore, the OPTIMUS trial (NCT02950324) demonstrated that a short-term exercise program that takes place before surgery or alongside chemotherapy can increase CD8-positive T-cell infiltration while decreasing immunosuppressive cells, effectively turning “cold” tumors “hot.”Additionally, Goodyear addressed some preconceptions surrounding the potential role of exercise in oncologic care, defending it as a prescribable therapy that necessitates a deliberate, properly applied approach to achieve success among patients. He discussed the importance of structuring individualized exercise-based regimens by considering performance status and other physical patient characteristics. He also noted how exercise intervention may mitigate immunosenescence and accelerated aging may be associated with one’s disease and anti-cancer therapy. “Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation…have efficacy; there’s no question about that. They also promote senescence and accelerated aging. What if we’re able to bring in these therapies that can work to break those cycles, like exercise?” Goodyear stated. “If it improves the outcome, helps the patient heal better, empowers their immune system in intended [and] direct ways that are reproducible in the research, and if it helps to block that accelerated aging, we reengage the immune system, countering the immunosenescence that is accelerating that process called inflammation.”References Courneya KS, Vardy JL, O’Callaghan CJ, et al. Structured exercise after adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(1):13-25. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2502760 Rayner CJ, Bartlett DB, Allen SK, et al. Prehabilitation during neoadjuvant chemotherapy results in an enhanced immune response in esophageal adenocarcinoma tumors: a randomized controlled trial. J Sport Health Sci. 2025;14:101063. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101063