The 2025 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting presented data poised to influence standards of care across multiple myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. CancerNetwork highlighted the top 10 findings that could shift hematologic oncology practice.
1. A 30-year retrospective analysis of 10 ECOG-ACRIN phase 2 and 3 trials (1984–2019) found Black patients with acute myeloid leukemia had worse outcomes after intensive chemotherapy, with a 31.3% greater risk of disease recurrence or death and a 21.2% higher risk of death than White patients. Hazard ratios were 1.212 for overall survival (95% CI, 1.01–1.453; P = .0383) and 1.313 for disease-free survival (95% CI, 1.05–1.641). Investigators called for larger datasets that integrate ancestry, social determinants, and genomic profiling to clarify these disparities.
2. The phase 3 EPCORE FL-1 trial showed fixed-duration epcoritamab-bysp plus rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates versus R2 alone in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. Median PFS was not estimable with the epcoritamab regimen versus 11.7 months with R2 (HR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.14–0.31; P < .0001); objective response rates were 95% versus 79%. The FDA approved epcoritamab plus R2 for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in November 2025.
3. In the phase 3 GIMEMA ALL2820 trial, blinatumomab plus ponatinib outperformed imatinib plus chemotherapy for Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with complete hematologic responses of 94.3% versus 79.4% (P = .004), supporting a chemotherapy-free targeted immunotherapy approach in this population.
4. A correlative analysis of CARTITUDE-1 and CARTITUDE-4 indicated earlier use of ciltacabtagene autoleucel in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma was associated with better survival outcomes; patients with only one prior line of therapy had the highest survival rates, supporting earlier intervention with cilta-cel.
5. The phase 2 RedirecTT-1 trial reported deep, durable responses with talquetamab plus teclistamab in triple-class–exposed relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with true extramedullary disease. Overall response rate was 79% (95% CI, 69%–87%), median time to first response 2.6 months, median duration of response not reached, and 12‑month DOR rate of 62.1% (95% CI, 49.0%–72.7%). Responses were higher in patients with lower baseline EMD volume but remained comparable to overall reports in those with higher volumes.
6. Real-world data showed elranatamab maintained responses in elderly, frail patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, with numerically shorter PFS but higher response rates versus teclistamab. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase was associated with worse PFS (HR, 1.3) and OS (HR, 1.4), and prior exposure to BCMA-directed therapies correlated with a lower rate of complete response or better (adjusted OR, 0.32; P = .037).
7. The phase 1/2 LINKER-MM4 trial of linvoseltamab in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma reported that among 43 evaluable patients, 56% achieved very good partial response or better, 26% achieved complete response or better, and 82% of complete responders achieved that status within six months, supporting a favorable benefit–risk profile.
8. The phase 2 PARADIGM trial found azacitidine plus venetoclax prolonged event-free survival compared with intensive induction chemotherapy in AML, with median EFS of 14.6 months versus 6.2 months and one‑year rates of 53% versus 39%. Investigators said the data support azacitidine and venetoclax for functionally fit, transplant-eligible patients with intermediate or adverse‑risk, FLT3‑wild‑type AML.
9. The phase 3 CLL17 trial showed fixed‑duration venetoclax combinations were noninferior for PFS compared with continuous ibrutinib in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Hazard ratios were 0.87 (venetoclax/obinutuzumab vs ibrutinib; adjusted 98.3% CI, 0.54–1.41) and 0.84 (venetoclax/ibrutinib vs ibrutinib; adjusted 98.0% CI, 0.53–1.32). Investigators noted these results support considering fixed‑duration therapy to enable treatment‑free intervals for most previously untreated patients.
10. A phase 1 study of gintemetostat monotherapy in heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma showed preliminary single‑agent activity among 40 evaluable patients: one very good partial response, one partial response, two minimal responses, and 12 instances of stable disease. Dose‑escalation findings indicated favorable safety, tolerability, and disease control.
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