We are delighted to announce Dr Andrea Visentin as a touchHEMATOLOGY Future Leader 2026, selected as a rising star poised to shape the future of precision hematology through advances in personalized care, innovative research and patient-centered treatment strategies.
Dr Andrea Visentin is Associate Professor of Hematology at the University of Padua and Consultant Hematologist at the University Hospital of Padua, Italy, where he specializes in the management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Hodgkin lymphoma. Passionate about combining cutting-edge science with individualized patient care, his work focuses on tailoring treatment to each patient’s disease biology, comorbidities and personal priorities.
In this touchHEMATOLOGY Future Leaders 2026 interview, Dr Andrea Visentin discusses the importance of mentorship and work–life balance, the promise of personalized treatment in CLL and Hodgkin lymphoma, and why investing in the next generation of hematologists will accelerate progress in patient care.
“Seeing a young woman go from hospice referral to complete remission is something I will never forget”
Can you tell us about a mentor who significantly impacted your career, and the most valuable lesson they shared with you?
The mentor who has had the greatest influence on my career is my department chair, Professor Livio Trentin. He believed in me from the beginning and gave me the opportunity to develop both my clinical and research career. One of the most valuable lessons he has taught me is that while we should always strive to provide the best possible care for our patients and pursue excellence in research, we must also protect the things that matter outside of work. Maintaining strong relationships with our families, friends and children is just as important as professional success. Building a successful career should never come at the expense of your personal life.
What aspects of your work do you find most fulfilling?
What I enjoy most is the ability to personalize treatment for every patient. We can now better understand the genetic characteristics of diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and use that information to select the most appropriate therapy for each individual. However, personalized medicine goes beyond biology. We must also consider a patient’s comorbidities, concurrent medications, lifestyle and preferences, involving them in every treatment decision. Helping patients understand both the benefits and potential adverse events of therapy is an essential part of delivering high-quality care.
Is there a particular moment or experience in your career that reinforced your passion for your specialty?
Two experiences stand out. The first involved a 32-year-old woman with Hodgkin lymphoma who had already received 11 lines of therapy and had been referred to hospice because no further treatment options were available. After extensive discussions with colleagues and our ethics committee, we identified a novel treatment combination that she had not previously received. To our surprise and delight, she achieved a complete remission after just three cycles, allowing her to undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Nearly a year later, she remains in complete remission with an excellent quality of life. Seeing someone who had been told there were no remaining options regain hope was an unforgettable experience.
The second was watching one of my junior colleagues receive an international award for the best abstract at a major hematology congress. The research project was one I had designed and secured funding for, and seeing a young investigator succeed on the international stage was incredibly rewarding. Supporting the next generation of researchers is one of the most satisfying parts of my career.
Looking ahead, what do you anticipate will be the biggest advancements or changes in your field over the next decade?
In CLL, I believe we will increasingly move toward fixed-duration, chemotherapy-free treatment combinations, particularly in the frontline setting. Ongoing clinical trials are showing that many patients can achieve deep remissions, including undetectable measurable residual disease, allowing treatment to be discontinued. For some patients, these time-limited therapies may be the only treatment they ever need. This approach has the potential to improve quality of life, reduce treatment-related adverse events and minimize the development of treatment resistance.
How important is it to spotlight and support early career professionals?
Hematology is a rapidly evolving specialty, and continued progress depends on supporting talented young physicians and researchers. Initiatives such as touchHEMATOLOGY Future Leaders create opportunities for early-career hematologists to share ideas, build international collaborations and learn from one another. Bringing together emerging leaders from around the world will ultimately accelerate innovation and improve patient care for everyone.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchHEMATOLOGY in collaboration with Dr Andrea Visentin. No fees or funding were associated with its publication.
Citation: Dr Andrea Visentin on transforming outcomes through personalized hematology: touchHEMATOLOGY Future Leaders 2026. touchHEMATOLOGY. 22 July 2026.
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