Hematologic Malignancies
An Introduction to Hematologic Malignancies
In recent years, advances in our understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying haematological malignancies have led to improved outcomes. Several novel drug classes are now emerging, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, molecular targeted therapies, bispecific T-cell engaging antibodies, CD47 blockade therapy and antibody-drug conjugates. Many challenges remain, however, including how best to combine agents and determining where new therapies fit into the treatment paradigm.
Expert video highlights, insights from the conference hub and comprehensive peer-reviewed articles from our journal portfolio provide updates on the changing treatment landscape. To learn more about how the latest developments impact on patient outcomes view our expert-led learning activities.”
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The European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Congress brought together the global hematology community to unveil the latest practice-shaping advances in hematological malignancies and blood disorders. From plenary and late-breaking trial results to prestigious award winners, novel therapeutics, translational science and emerging technologies, the meeting delivered a vast volume of data. In this expert-led round-up, leading specialists distil the most important data and key takeaways from across each disease area, offering an essential guide to the studies set to shape the future of hematology.
At EHA 2026, Erik Aerts, President of the hematology Nurses & Healthcare Professionals Group, highlighted the dual pressures shaping hematology nursing: rapidly increasing treatment complexity and a growing workforce shortage across Europe. He outlined how HNHCP is responding through expanded education, new learning programmes in AML, ALL and MPNs, and stronger international collaboration to support nurses in an evolving therapeutic landscape.
At EHA 2026, Prof George Vassiliou discusses the discoveries behind his Research Excellence Award, from defining clonal haematopoiesis as a precursor to blood cancer to uncovering new therapeutic vulnerabilities in AML. He explains why early detection and prevention may represent the next major shift in haematology—and why menin inhibitors, BCL2 inhibitors, and CAR T-cell therapies are reshaping the field.
Following his 2026 EHA Clinical Excellence Award, Prof Josep-Maria Ribera reflects on the transformation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia from a broadly treated disease into an increasingly molecularly stratified entity. In this interview, he discusses the rise of immunotherapy, the importance of combining targeted and immune-based approaches, and why understanding the growing number of ALL subtypes will be central to future progress.
Late-breaking results from the phase 3 SUCCESSOR-2 trial presented at EHA 2026, show that adding mezigdomide to carfilzomib and dexamethasone (MeziKd) significantly improves outcomes in relapsed/refractory Multiple myeloma, particularly in patients previously exposed to lenalidomide and anti-CD38 therapy. Prof Meletios Dimopoulos provides his insights in this exclusive Q&A.
At the European Hematology Association Congress 2026, the phase 3 BRUIN CLL-322 trial showed that fixed-duration Pirtobrutinib plus Venetoclax–Rituximab significantly improved progression-free survival versus venetoclax–rituximab alone in relapsed/refractory Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/Small lymphocytic lymphoma, with higher undetectable MRD rates and similar safety. Speaking after his presentation, Dr Matthew Davids said the findings could help establish a new fixed-duration standard of care in relapsed disease.
Late-breaking data from the phase 3 SENTRY trial show that selinexor plus ruxolitinib significantly improved spleen volume reduction in JAK inhibitor–naïve myelofibrosis, with rapid and sustained responses and an early signal for overall survival benefit. While symptom improvement was comparable to ruxolitinib alone, exploratory biomarker findings suggest potential disease-modifying activity, positioning the combination as a possible new frontline strategy.
New data presented at EHa 2026 by Prof Yizhen Li identify CD5 as a key intrinsic regulator of T-cell engager (TCE) efficacy, with potential implications across both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. In the plenary abstract, investigators used genome-wide and targeted CRISPR knockout screens in primary human CD8+ T cells exposed to the CD19×CD3 bispecific Blinatumomab to identify T cell–intrinsic mechanisms limiting response. Importantly, the effect extended beyond B-ALL to multiple CD3-engaging bispecifics targeting CD20, BCMA, GPRC5D, DLL3, and GD2, supporting CD5 as a potentially generalizable therapeutic target for amplifying TCE efficacy.
For almost two decades, R-CHOP has remained the established frontline standard for DLBCL, yet approximately 40% of patients are not cured with first-line therapy. At EHA 2026, Prof Georg Lenz presented new phase 3 data from the frontMIND study suggesting that this long-standing backbone may now be open to improvement. The study showed that adding tafasitamab and lenalidomide to R-CHOP significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in previously untreated patients with high-risk DLBCL and high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL), marking one of the first positive frontline intensification trials in this setting in recent years.
The AIEOP-BFM ALL 2017 trial represents one of the clearest demonstrations to date that frontline immunotherapy can outperform and out-safeguard conventional chemotherapy in pediatric ALL. Beyond its immediate implications for high-risk disease, the study may provide the framework for broader treatment redesign across ALL risk groups, with future trials now focused on how far chemotherapy exposure can be safely reduced while preserving—and potentially improving—long-term cure. In this exclusive Q&A, Prof Martin Schrappe suggests this may be only the beginning of chemotherapy de-escalation in childhood ALL.
AML harbouring NPM1 mutation or KMT2A rearrangement accounts for around 35–40% of cases and is driven by aberrant menin-dependent transcriptional programmes. EHA 2026, Dr Amer Zeidanpresented updated long-term results from the intensive induction cohort of KOMET-007, evaluating ziftomenib 600 mg in combination with 7+3 in newly diagnosed NPM1-mutated and KMT2A-rearranged AML. In the following Q&A, Dr Zeidan discusses the biological rationale for menin inhibition, the ongoing unmet need in NPM1-mutated AML, and the potential of KOMET-007 to reshape frontline treatment strategies.
Several important lymphoma studies presented at ASCO 2026 provided new data across newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory disease settings. The studies spanned aggressive B-cell lymphomas and classic Hodgkin lymphoma, evaluating novel antibody-based combinations, epigenetic targeting strategies and chemotherapy-sparing approaches. Dr Tycel Phillips provides his expert insights into the six most important studies of the meeting.
At EBMT26, Prof Meral Beksac discusses data from the phase III PERSEUS trial, where adding daratumumab to standard VRd induction and consolidation – followed by daratumumab–lenalidomide maintenance – has delivered striking gains in sustained MRD negativity and progression-free survival. The findings reinforce a shift toward quadruplet therapy as the new standard of care in TE NDMM.
We often focus on clinical excellence, but spend less time developing broader skills that could help us better lead with purpose and build more fulfilling, impactful careers. In this episode, part of a mini-series in partnership with LEADderm, Dr Jennifer Soung and Denise Mann explore how clinicians can engage with the media to educate, empower and extend their impact beyond the clinic.
In this edition of Haematology Horizons, we speak with Dr Hannah Levavi about the transformative role of immunotherapy in ALL. Dr. Levavi highlights how agents such as blinatumomab, inotuzumab and CD19-directed CAR-T therapies are reshaping frontline approaches, particularly for older or unfit patients traditionally unable to tolerate intensive chemotherapy.
Key takeaways Primary endpoint not met, but promising trends observed – The Galleri® test did not achieve a statistically significant reduction in combined Stage III–IV cancer diagnoses, but showed favourable shifts toward earlier detection in 12 high-risk cancers. Reduction in late-stage ...
As part of our Haematology Horizons practice pearl series, Dr Douglas Tremblay (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA) explores the contemporary role and limitations of HMAs across chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia subtypes, contrasts treatment goals by patient fitness and transplant eligibility and looks ahead to emerging HMA combinations and novel agents designed specifically for CMML.
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