Hematologic Malignancies

Personalized therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), guided by shared decision-making, can improve outcomes by aligning treatment with a patient’s unique clinical profile, preferences and goals. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on CLL management and treatment strategies. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Christopher Nelson, ACNP, MBA, certified oncology nurse practitioner at Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology, to explore the importance of shared decision-making and patient communication in CLL. Additionally, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Meghan McGrath, MSN, RN, AGACNP, clinical trial nurse navigator at The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), who discusses ways to incorporate clinical trials in the shared decision-making process and LLS services that are available to support patients and providers.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen Fancher, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacy specialist in oncology at University of Pittsburgh – Passavant Hospital, and Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacist specialist in ambulatory hematology and adjunct clinical instructor at the University of Michigan, about strategies to address common adverse events experienced by patients with mantle cell lymphoma.  

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jean Louise Koff, MD, MSc, associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, about fostering trust, rapport, and collaboration in the patient-provider relationship.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with David Sallman, MD, associate member in the Department of Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center, and Karley Trautman, DNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, senior instructor of Medical Oncology at Highlands Ranch Cancer Center, to discuss best practices in the management of anemia in low-risk MDS patients.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy DeZern, MD, MHS, director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland; Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP, clinical oncology pharmacy manager, Atrium Health Levine Cancer in Charlotte, North Carolina; and David Sallman, MD, assistant member, Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Their discussion elucidates an array of patient-centered approaches, touches on social determinants of health, and highlights collaborative measures to support care coordination in the management of anemia in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

Advancements in clinical data and research have shown the immunotherapeutic potential of bispecific antibodies as treatment for hematologic cancers and solid tumors. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, pharmacy clinical specialist in hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplant and Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP, medical oncology clinical pharmacy specialist at WVU Cancer Institute who discusses the challenges of care coordination and therapy and shares operational best practices for the delivery of bispecific antibodies in the community setting.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Linda Hayward, patient financial advocate at the University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health, about the challenges of treatment and strategies to address disparities in access and care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Maintenance therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who are ineligible for transplant, can be critical to treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Thomas LeBlanc, MD, hematologic oncologist, associate professor of Medicine, and associate professor in Population Health Sciences at Duke Cancer Institute, about the importance of keeping patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first remission as long as possible through maintenance therapy. 

Coordination of care for patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who are ineligible for transplant, can impact access to specialist care, clinical trials, and cancer programs with advanced capabilities to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Farrukh T. Awan, MD, MS, professor of Internal Medicine and director of Lymphoid Malignancies at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, about their approach to addressing regional barriers to improve care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Personalizing care goals to account for a patient’s values, preferences, or circumstances can make a significant difference in shared decision-making and treatment planning. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Melissa Kah Poh Loh, MBBCh, BAO, assistant professor of Geriatric Hematology and Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Wilmot Cancer Institute about strategies to optimize critical conversations with patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

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 these 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.

Learn how recent guideline and treatment options by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) can optimize care for patients with MPNs. 

As myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) carry a significant symptom burden and oftentimes can require lifelong care coordination and close monitoring, hear how a strong multidisciplinary approach can impact shared decision-making and patient engagement. 

CANCER BUZZ speaks with Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, about when to begin therapeutic care for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and the urgency of treatment.

Hear why community practices need to monitor symptoms carefully and about a new tool that can help assess symptoms more accurately and help care teams form treatment plans.

Clinical trials are the best instrument to advance treatment for blood cancers, but numerous challenges exist around trial identification, enrollment, and participation. We’ll hear perspectives from a community provider and patient advocacy organization on immediate—and forward-thinking—solutions to help this population better access clinical trials, including a tool from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help patients identify cancer clinical trials that may be a fit.

Caring for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends on many factors and can vary as much as the patients themselves.

In this episode, we'll hear how patients with blood cancer are joining the LLS National Patient Registry to increase scientific knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot efficacy.

As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes and restrictions loosens for most of the U.S., we'll discuss how patient education has become even more critical during this transition.

Three specialists in multiple myeloma care share their experiences that may help other providers and patients move smoothly through this time of transition while maintaining high quality care.