ASTCT Talks

In a cobranded episode between Oncology on the Go, hosted by CancerNetwork®, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)’s program ASTCT Talks, Mitchell E. Horwitz, MD, highlighted key developments and ongoing initiatives related to allogeneic and cord blood transplantations among patients with different hematologic malignancies. The conversation touched upon the impact of omidubicel-onlv (Omisirge) on patient outcomes, current research on reducing the risk of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) among transplantation recipients, and strategies for providing effective prophylaxis during treatment, among other topics.

In this episode of ASTCT Talks, host Dr. Corey Cutler, MD, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is joined by Dr. Pooja Khandelwal, MD (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital), Dr. Ben Watkins, MD (Tulane University), and Dr. Kenneth Cooke, MD (Johns Hopkins University) for an in-depth discussion on evolving strategies to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in pediatric transplant.
The conversation explores how leading centers are approaching GVHD prophylaxis across a range of clinical scenarios, with a focus on improving both acute and chronic GVHD outcomes. Experts compare platform-based approaches — including post-transplant cyclophosphamide, calcineurin inhibitor–based regimens, abatacept, and graft manipulation — and discuss how these strategies influence long-term transplant success.
Key topics include:
Current approaches to reducing acute and chronic GVHD in pediatric patients.
Tradeoffs between prevention platforms, including immune reconstitution and infection risk.
Emerging data on novel strategies, such as vitamin A and extended co-stimulation blockade.
The role of GVHD-free survival as a key endpoint in transplant outcomes.
Ongoing challenges and unmet needs in preventing chronic GVHD.
While advances in prophylaxis are helping to reduce GVHD incidence, chronic GVHD remains a significant clinical challenge, underscoring the importance of continued innovation across the prevention-treatment continuum.
This episode was supported by an educational grant fromIncyte.

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.

In a special cobranded episode between Oncology on the Go, hosted by CancerNetwork®, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)’s program ASTCT Talks, host Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP, spoke with colleague Hitomi Hosoya, MD, PhD, about a study she and coauthors published in Blood. In their study, Hosoya and colleagues assessed the underlying mechanisms of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell–related lymphomas developing in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The study focused on a particular case involving a 50-year-old patient with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who developed T-cell lymphoma after receiving cellular therapy in the seventh-line setting. Listen below or via your favorite podcast platform.

Gene therapy is changing how clinicians care for patients with rare and genetic diseases, with more therapies moving from research into clinical use. In this episode, Dr. Nirali Shah is joined by Dr. Christy Duncan and Dr. Sung‑Yun Pai to talk through recent progress in the field and what it actually takes to deliver these treatments at the patient level.
The discussion draws on their experience in transplant and genetic disease, covering both scientific advances and the operational challenges that come with implementing gene therapy — especially in complex and resource‑intensive settings. 
Tune in for a conversation that covers:
Recent developments in gene therapy, including in vivo approaches and newly approved treatments
Barriers to broader use, including access, equity, and long-term monitoring
What centers need to consider when building a gene therapy program, from workflows to team coordination
Where things may be heading, including more individualized therapies and efforts to expand availability
Listen to the episode below or on your favorite app. Subscribe to ASTCT Talks and share this episode with your colleagues to keep the conversation going.