The 2025 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting showcased data that may reshape treatment approaches across multiple hematologic malignancies. Researchers presented findings in myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers that highlight new agents, combinations and real-world outcomes.
1. Poorer outcomes for Black patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy for AML
A 30-year retrospective analysis of 10 ECOG-ACRIN phase 2 and 3 trials (1984–2019) found Black patients treated with intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia had a 31.3% greater risk of disease recurrence or death and a 21.2% higher risk of death compared with White patients. Hazard ratios were 1.212 for overall survival and 1.313 for disease-free survival. Investigators called for analyses integrating ancestry, social factors and comprehensive genomic profiling to clarify drivers of outcome disparities.
2. Epcoritamab combo improves outcomes in second-line relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma
The phase 3 EPCORE FL-1 trial showed fixed-duration epcoritamab plus rituximab and lenalidomide significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates versus rituximab-lenalidomide alone. Median PFS was not estimable with the epcoritamab combination versus 11.7 months with R2 (HR 0.21; P < .0001), and objective response rates were 95% versus 79%. Investigators described the regimen as a new benchmark for second-line follicular lymphoma. The FDA approved epcoritamab plus R2 in November 2025 based on these data.
3. Chemo-free option for Ph+ ALL with blinatumomab and ponatinib
The phase 3 GIMEMA ALL2820 trial favored a chemotherapy-free regimen of blinatumomab plus ponatinib over imatinib plus chemotherapy in Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Complete hematologic responses occurred in 94.3% of patients in the blinatumomab arm versus 79.4% in the comparator arm (P = .004), supporting a targeted immunotherapeutic approach without conventional chemotherapy.
4. Survival benefit with earlier use of cilta-cel in multiple myeloma
A correlative analysis of CARTITUDE-1 and CARTITUDE-4 trials found that ciltacabtagene autoleucel produced better survival outcomes when used earlier in the relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treatment course. Patients with a single prior line of therapy had the highest survival compared with those who had received two or more prior lines, supporting earlier intervention with cilta-cel.
5. Talquetamab plus teclistamab yields deep, durable responses in myeloma with extramedullary disease
In the phase 2 RedirecTT-1 trial, talquetamab combined with teclistamab produced an objective response rate of 79% in triple-class exposed relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with true extramedullary disease. Median time to first response was 2.6 months, median duration of response was not reached, and the 12-month DOR rate was 62.1%. Responses were generally higher in patients with lower baseline EMD volumes but remained meaningful in those with higher volumes.
6. Real-world elranatamab maintains activity in elderly, frail myeloma patients
Real-world data showed elranatamab produced higher response rates but numerically shorter progression-free survival compared with teclistamab among patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Higher lactate dehydrogenase was associated with worse PFS and OS, and prior exposure to BCMA-directed therapy correlated with lower rates of complete response. Investigators emphasized elranatamab’s role beyond clinical-trial populations and the need for optimized supportive care.
7. Linvoseltamab demonstrates high responses in newly diagnosed myeloma
In the phase 1/2 LINKER-MM4 trial, linvoseltamab produced notable responses in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: among 43 evaluable patients, 56% achieved very good partial response or better and 26% achieved complete response or better, with 82% of complete responses occurring within six months. Investigators reported a favorable benefit–risk profile in this setting.
8. Azacitidine plus venetoclax improves event-free survival in AML
The phase 2 PARADIGM trial found that azacitidine combined with venetoclax prolonged event-free survival compared with intensive induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Median EFS was 14.6 months with azacitidine–venetoclax versus 6.2 months with chemotherapy, with 1-year EFS rates of 53% and 39%, respectively. Findings support using the combination in functionally fit, transplant-eligible patients with intermediate or adverse risk, FLT3-wild-type AML.
9. Fixed-duration venetoclax combinations noninferior to continuous ibrutinib in CLL
The phase 3 CLL17 trial showed fixed-duration venetoclax plus obinutuzumab or venetoclax plus ibrutinib provided progression-free survival noninferior to continuous single-agent ibrutinib in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Results support considering fixed-duration therapy to allow treatment-free intervals for most patients with previously untreated CLL.
10. Gintemetostat shows single-agent activity in heavily pretreated myeloma
A phase 1 study reported preliminary single-agent activity with the EZH inhibitor gintemetostat in heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Among 40 evaluable patients investigators observed one very good partial response, one partial response, two minimal responses and 12 cases of stable disease, with a favorable safety and tolerability profile in dose escalation.
These findings from ASH 2025 highlight emerging therapies and treatment strategies with the potential to alter standards of care across hematologic malignancies.
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