Interviews

Andrew Evens, DO, MBA, MSc, deputy director for clinical services and chief physician officer, Rutgers Cancer Institute, introduces New Jersey's new state-of-the-art facilities at the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center.

Real-world cost barriers and insurance denials contribute to early discontinuation of injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, reducing their effectiveness for weight loss, explains Hamlet Gasoyan, PhD, Cleveland Clinic.

Noah Greenspan, DPT, PT, CCS, EMT-B, cardiopulmonary physical therapist and director of the Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in New York City, reflects on how the reality of COVID-19 infection proved far more complex than initially thought.

At the 30th European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, hematology experts highlight breakthroughs in treatment, the importance of patient voices, and challenges in making innovations accessible worldwide.

The role that artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology can play in care delivery is growing, said Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health.

Unaddressed adverse effects, such as fatigue, significantly reduce patient confidence in care plans and negatively impact quality of life for individuals with lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), according to Lorna Warwick, CEO of Lymphoma Coalition.

At the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2025 Congress, Ashley Yocum, PhD, highlights how the Beat AML Master Trial advances safe, personalized treatment and expands targeted therapy options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Adding polatuzumab vedotin to rituximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) significantly improved overall survival in transplant-ineligible patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), according to Matthew Matasar, MD, of Rutgers Cancer institute.

The phase 3 IRAKLIA trial assesses subcutaneous isatuximab via on-body injector vs intravenous (IV) administration, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma and lower socioeconomic status reported significantly worse quality of life and a higher burden of symptoms, according to Francesco Sparano, MSc, of the GIMEMA Foundation.

Early results from the phase 1 SANRECO trial suggest that divesiran is safe and well tolerated, and may reduce the need for phlebotomy in patients with polycythemia vera by increasing hepcidin levels and improving iron regulation, according to lead investigator Marina Kremyanskaya, MD, PhD.

Sundar Jagannath, MBBS, highlights long-term follow-up data from the phase 1b/2 CARTITUDE-1 trial, showing durable responses and potential cures with ciltacabtagene autoleucel in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Marla Black Morgan, MD, looks to the future of research in both myasthenia gravis and rare neurological disorders by expanding data collection and identifying areas of potential difference in patient outcomes.

An artificial intelligence (AI)-driven machine learning model was refined and validated internationally to accurately classify acute leukemia subtypes from routine laboratory data, according to Merlin Engelke, MS, offering a potential tool for improving diagnosis worldwide.

Effective toxicity management in oncology requires pharmacists to document interventions clearly and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, says David Awad, PharmD, BCOP.

In this clip, Adela Perolla, MD, PhD, discusses the urgent need to address and destigmatize burnout in hematology, especially among early-career professionals, by promoting self-awareness, work-life balance, and peer support.

Burnout is rising sharply in hematology due to emotional strain, long hours, and high patient demands, according to Adela Perolla, MD, PhD, impacting both physician well-being and patient care.

Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, shares ADVANCE trial results, which show that adding daratumumab to carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (DKRd) improves outcomes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, lead investigator of the ADVANCE clinical trial, outlines the study’s goal of advancing modern, minimal residual disease–guided treatment approaches.

Mansi Shah, MD, discusses the role of stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma (MM) and the logistical barriers to wider adoption of bispecific therapies.

Andrew Kuykendall, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, explains the goals of the VERIFY trial and why its data on rusfertide could have paradigm-changing implications for patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who currently rely on frequent phlebotomies for relief.

Collecting comprehensive patient data, including social determinants of health, is crucial for equitable value-based cancer care, yet administrative burdens could worsen existing disparities, said Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health.

Constance Blunt, MD, medical oncologist, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, discusses the potential consequences of losing free health care screening coverage.

Dirk Arnold, MD, PhD, medical director, Asklepios Tumour Biology Centre, discusses the trial design of a study comparing amivantamab with standard chemotherapy to potentially improve treatment outcomes.

In the final part of an interview with Brian Slomovitz, MD, he highlights that the phase 3 ROSELLA trial demonstrates a safe, effective treatment for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer that does not require biomarker testing.

Julia Lucaci, PharmD, MS, of Becton, Dickinson and Company, discusses the benefits of blister packaging for chronic medications, advocating for payer incentives to boost medication adherence and improve health outcomes.

With the FDA approval of retifanlimab (Zynyz; Incyte) as the first and only first-line treatment for advanced anal cancer, researchers are now focusing on resistance mechanisms and future therapies, according to Sheela Rao, MBBS, MD, FRCP, of The Royal Marsden Hospital.

Artificial intelligence (AI) provides a major tool in the evolution of thoracic care, as clinicians work to catch lung cancer earlier to provide better prognosis.

Merrill H. Stewart, MD, Ochsner Health, explains misconceptions about stents and bypass surgery and highlights when cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) stress testing is most appropriate.

In the final part of her interview, Margrit Wiesendanger, MD, PhD, discusses the need to improve lupus care by addressing social determinants of health and expanding access to treatment.