ISH 2016

Prof Shai Izraeli speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about the landscape of childhood leukaemia.With the majority of childhood cases of ALL being curable, Prof Izraeli outlines avenues for further research: treating high-risk groups and reducing toxicity with targeted therapy. He also addresses the clinical significance of genomic data for risk stratification and therapy identification.

Prof Stephen Mulligan speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about the turning tides of chronic lymphocyctic leukaemia.With a consideration of the recent past, from novel treatment combinations that are extending patient survival up to four fold, to modern molecular understanding of the micro-environemnt, Dr Mulligan identifies upcoming trials he anticipates will continue to move survival rates forward.

Dr Philippe Moreau speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about his research into novel therapies to treat myeloma.Following recent approval in the USA and favourable views in the CHMP, Dr Moreau looks forward to the improved patient outlook possible with courses of elotuzumab or daratumumab.As combination therapies, elotuzumab and daratumumab have shown significant benefits to patient duration, progression free survival and toxicity profile.With an eye to the future, he looks forward to novel combinations to maximise patient benefit, up to complete remission.

Prof Lia Gore speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about current and emerging treatments for all.With a childhood cure rate of 95%, Dr Gore explores how treatments of ALL might have significant impacts in a patients later life, and how to reduce undue risk where possible.The novel agents being trialled so far include courses of immunotherapy; monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cells, and targeted therapies.Prof Gore also addresses toxicities associated with treatment, and the challenges in treating the unregulated cell growth of cancer in a patient who is still growing.

Dr Kevin Shannon speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about heritable risks for leukaemia.Familial history of leukaemia has only recently been elucidated using genomic high-throughput techniques to identify the upregulation of certain genes, notably GATA2, AML1 and RUNX1.Dr Shannon describes the considerations clinicians and patients might experience when discovering they have a strong likelihood of passing on this predisposition.

Dr Peter Hillmen speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016, reviewing the results from the RESONATE2 trial of ibrutinib and CLL115 trial of idelalisib.These results are also reviewed by Dr George Follows and Dr Andrew Zelenetz, though Dr Hillmen draws specific attention to toxicity profile exhibited by some idelalisib patients with a history of autoimmune disease.Looking forward, he describes the ongoing goals of reducing toxicity, isolating resistance and the risk-reward balance of combination therapies.

Dr George Collins speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about treating Hodgkin lymphoma while reducing the risk of developing secondary lesions in later life.With the risk of late-stage side effects from radiotherapy weighed against potential for relapse in primary lesions, Dr Collins describes a tailored approach on a patient-by-patient basis.With PET negative scans being a significant prognostic indicator, he describes their influence on treatment schedules of radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

Dr George Collins speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about therapy management in relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma.He explains what sets UK and USA therapeutics apart, including the choice of allograph or autograph, access to novel agents, and timing of stem cell transplants amidst chemotherapy.While Hodgkin lymphoma is comparably uncommon, Dr Collins emphasises the goal of relapse free survival in the first round of treatment considering its incidence among younger patients and children.

Professor Christine Mauz-Körholz speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about paediatric Hodgkins lymphoma.The late effects caused by radiotherapy; increased risk of secondary lesions and organ damage, have led to it being phased out of many countries courses of treatment, with novel agents being investigated for further reduction of side effects.Chemotherapy is also a potentially toxic treatment, but Professor Mauz-Körholz highlights the need to match low toxicity treatments with treatment efficacy and relapse prevention.

Prof Elizabeth Molyneux speaks with ecancertv at BSH 2016 about designing a course of therapy for children when access to therapies is limited.Highlighting the need for feasibility and safety, she describes the process of building effective protocols to treat extremely sensitive patients.Prof Molyneux reports on trials in which Burkitt's lymphoma, Kaposi's Sarcoma, and Will's tumour patients have been treated with reduced dosages, due to limited drug access and tolerability, with significant improvements on patients survival.