In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks about strategies to address these disparities and optimize care and treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who do not receive a transplant.
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While there are many factors why patients with acute myeloid leukemia are ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplant, such as age, financial hurdles, or other comorbidities, these factors are often compounded by social determinants of health, which can act as a significant barrier to consolidation therapy and long-term remission for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Keri Maher, DO, director of the Acute Leukemia Program and assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center about strategies to address these disparities and optimize care and treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who do not receive a transplant.
“We know that patients who are ineligible for transplant may be so because of social determinants in and of themselves…[It is important to understand that] there are three categories of barriers that patients face when accessing care. I like to think of them as patient-based barriers, institutional-based barriers, and social-based barriers.” – Keri Maher, DO
Keri R. Maher, DO MS
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director, Acute Leukemia Program
Massey Cancer Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VAThis is the first episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
July 8, 2026
June 30, 2026
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
