UCI Health and UC Irvine researchers to share groundbreaking insights at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the world's premier event in hematology research and care

To advance the next wave of hematologic breakthroughs, UCI Health and UC Irvine researchers will deliver their latest findings at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, the world's largest gathering in the field of hematology. This year’s meeting convenes in San Diego, California, from Dec. 7-10, 2024.

University physicians and scientists will join international leaders to share cutting-edge findings and innovative approaches to improving hematologic care. This year, our renowned presenters will contribute vital research on sickle cell disease, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and health disparities. Their work underscores our tripartite mission to discover, teach, and heal, while aiming to improve outcomes for diverse patient populations.

Highlights of UCI Health’s contributions:

Advancing lymphoma treatment and disparities research

Elizabeth Brem, MD, will present findings from the Phase 3 Olympia-1 study, which evaluates odronextamab monotherapy in high-risk follicular lymphoma patients. Her contributions to the “Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom’s, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas” session on Dec. 9 reflect UCI Health’s leadership in developing advanced treatments for lymphomas.

Additionally, Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, has co-authored several abstracts examining innovative therapies for T-cell and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, including studies on emerging chemotherapy-free regimens.

Biological Aspects of Disparities in Lymphoid Malignancies

Wendy Cozen, DO, MPH, will co-chair and speak at a spotlight session on the “Biology Underlying Disparities in Lymphoid Malignancies” Dec. 8, where she will discuss tumor microenvironment profiling in Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Her trainees, Chenya Zhao, MPH and Anthony Colombo, MS, will share poster presentations exploring tumor microenvironment profiling in bone marrow samples from African American multiple myeloma patients using imaging mass cytometry, and multiple myeloma etiology investigated in a multiethnic cohort including obesity, diabetes, occupational exposure, diet, and racial/ethnic group as risk factors. These presentations further Cozen’s research on determinants of risk and outcome in mature B-cell malignancies with an emphasis on multiethnic populations.

Exploring the impact of social stress on sickle cell disease

Donovan A. Argueta, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar in the Gupta Laboratory, will present his oral abstract, Social Stress Impacts Multicellular Molecular Mechanisms in the Brain Affecting Nociception and Neuroimmune Activity in Sickle Cell Disease, during the “Attenuating Sickle Cell Disease Complications” session on Dec. 8. His research highlights how social stress influences pain and neuroimmune activity in patients with sickle cell disease, providing critical insights into improving their care.

Investigating pain and organ damage in sickle cell disease

Carolina Mireles and Yugal Goel, PhD, trainees in the Gupta Laboratory, will showcase their poster presentations on Dec. 9, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying acute pain and potential treatable targets for organ damage in sickle cell disease. Their work sheds light on strategies to mitigate complications and improve quality of life for patients.

Recognition of UCI Health excellence

Notably, UCI Health hematologist Zahra Pakbaz, MD, was also recently elected as a member of the ASH Scientific Committee on Iron and Heme. The committee advances research and clinical understanding of iron metabolism, heme synthesis, and related disorders. They also identify key areas of study, including iron regulation, toxicity, and therapeutic developments, to shape sessions and foster innovation at the ASH annual meeting.

Also, Donovan Argueta, PhD and Carolina Mireles’ abstracts earned 2024 ASH Abstract Achievement Awards, recognizing their significant contributions to hematologic research. Donovan Argueta, PhD was also recently selected to be a member of the ASH Trainee Council supporting annual meeting and organizational efforts to enhance training programs and trainee participation. These accolades celebrate UCI Health’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of scientific leaders.

Hematolology/Oncology Division Professor Kalpna Gupta, PhD will continue as a member of the Diversity and Equity Initiative (DEI) Committee of ASH for the 2nd year. This committee will lead several forums at ASH to promote diversity and inclusivity and showcase trainee’s research through presentations at ASH from grants awarded by Minority Research Initiative of DEI.

Professor Gupta is organizing a Networking session – “Sickle Cell Disease Pain Analgesia and Integrative Network (SCDPAIN)” to promote collaborations for advancing the understanding of sickle cell pain. This Network is aimed at fostering multidisciplinary efforts through training and pilot funding for sickle cell pain research. Hosted at the SAILS Pavilion on Dec. 7 from 11-11:45 a.m. These intense continuing activities enhance the commitment of UC Irvine to promote diversity and equity in health-related research and fostering national collaborative efforts.

ASH has undertaken a new activity of advancing the careers of PhD researchers. Professor Gupta will also serve as a member of the inaugural committee for PhD researcher’s career advancement by developing strategies and activities to foster this group of hematology researchers.

"Our team’s presence at ASH underscores the impactful work being done at UCI Health to address complex challenges in hematology," said Wendy Cozen, DO, MPH, professor, division of hematology and oncology. The ASH Annual Meeting offers a global platform for UCI Health researchers and physicians to collaborate, share knowledge, and contribute to advancing care for patients with blood disorders.

For more information about UCI Health’s contributions to ASH, visit https://clinicalconnection.ucihealth.org and follow UCI Health Physicians on LinkedIn.

Abstracts and presentations

113. Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Trait, and Other Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding Thalassemias: Basic and Translational: Attenuating Sickle Cell Disease Complications – Lessons from Pre-clinical Models

Result Type: Oral Presentation

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Sunday, December 8, 2024: 5:15 PM San Diego Convention Center, Room 31

Publication Number: 622

Presenter: Donovan A. Argueta, PhD

Title: Social Stress Impacts Multicellular Molecular Mechanisms in the Brain Affecting Nociception and Neuroimmune Activity in Sickle Cell Disease

113. Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Trait, and Other Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding Thalassemias: Basic and Translational: Poster III

Result Type: Poster Presentation

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H

Publication Number: 3869

Presenter: Carolina Mireles

Title: Mechanisms Underlying Acute Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

 113. Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Trait, and Other Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding Thalassemias: Basic and Translational: Poster III

Result Type: Poster Presentation

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H

Publication Number: 3871

Presenter: @Yugal Goel

Title: Mechanism-Based Treatable Targets for Organ Damage and Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom’s, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III

Result Type: Poster Presentation

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H Publication Number: 4411

Presenter: Elizabeth Brem, MD

Title: Odronextamab Monotherapy in Previously Untreated Patients with High-Risk Follicular Lymphoma (FL): Results of the Safety Lead-in of the Phase 3 Olympia-1 Study

653. Multiple Myeloma: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III

Result Type: Poster Presentation

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H Publication Number: 4703 Presenter: Chenya Zhao, MPH

Corresponding author: Wendy Cozen, DO

Title: The Impact of Lifestyle Factors and Occupational Exposure on Multiple Myeloma Risk in the Multiethnic Cohort Study

653. Multiple Myeloma: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II Result Type: Poster Presentation Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Sunday, December 8, 2024: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM San Diego Convention Center, Halls G-H Publication Number: 3327 Presenter: Anthony Colombo, MS

Corresponding author: Wendy Cozen, DO

Title: Characterization of the Tumor Microenvironment of Diagnostic Bone Marrow Core Biopsies from African American Multiple Myeloma Patients Using Imaging Mass Cytometry

Spotlight Sessions: Biology Underlying Disparities in Lymphoid Malignancies Result Type: Oral Presentation Program: Spotlight Sessions Time and Location: Sunday, December 8, 2024: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Pacific Ballroom Salons 18-19 Presenter: Wendy Cozen, DO, MPH Title: Tumor Microenvironment Profiling to Investigate Disparities in Hodgkin Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma

503. Clonal Hematopoiesis, Aging, and Inflammation: Causes and Consequences

Result Type: Session Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Monday, December 9, 2024: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM Grand Hall C (Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego)

Moderator: Catherine Coombs, MD

642. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 4625

Co-author: Catherine Coombs, MD

Title: Treatment Outcomes of Patients Treated with Venetoclax-Obinutuzumab Therapy Vs Btki Therapies in 1L CLL: An International Real-World Study

642. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiological: Treating Refractory Disease-Novel Agents and Quality-of-Life

Result Type: Paper

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Monday, December 9, 2024: 2:45 PM-4:15 PM

Marriott Grand Ballroom 5-6 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina)

Publication number: 866

Co-author: Catherine Coombs, MD

Title: BRUIN CLL-321: Randomized Phase III Trial of Pirtobrutinib Versus Idelalisib Plus Rituximab (IdelaR) or Bendamustine Plus Rituximab (BR) in BTK Inhibitor Pretreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

642. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiological: Frontline Targeted Therapy Combinations

Result Type: Paper

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Monday, December 9, 2024: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM

Marriott Grand Ballroom 8-9 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina)

Publication number: 1010

Co-author: Catherine Coombs, MD

Title: Minimal Residual Disease (MRD)-Adapted Duration of Front-Line Venetoclax and Obinutuzumab Treatment for Fit Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

642. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster I

Result Type: Paper

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts

Time and Location:

Saturday, December 7, 2024: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM

Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 1866

Co-author: Callie Coombs, MD

Title: Preliminary Results from a Phase 1b Study of Non-Covalent Pan-Mutant BTK Inhibitor Docirbrutinib (AS-1763) in Patients with Previously Treated B-Cell Malignancies

732. Allogeneic Transplantation: Disease Response and Comparative Treatment Studies: Finding the Ideal Donor and Graft: Going Beyond HLA

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Sunday, December 8, 2024: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM Room 6A (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 695

Co-author: Stefan O. Ciurea, MD

Title: Likelihood of finding an 8/8 HLA-matched unrelated donor (Donor Search Prognosis) is not associated with survival: Primary results from BMT CTN 1702

722. Allogeneic Transplantation: Acute and Chronic GVHD and Immune Reconstitution: Poster III

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 4908

Authors: Piyanuch Kongtim, MD; Piyatida Chumnumsiriwath; Pongthep Vittayawacharin, MD; Deepa Jeyakumar, MD; Benjamin Lee; Jean Doh, PharmD; Shawn P. Griffin, PharmD; Rick Van Etten, MD, PhD; and Stefan O. Ciurea, MD.

Title: Final Results of a Prospective Observational Study Using Budesonide, Added to Ptcy-Based Gvhd Prophylaxis, for Prevention of Acute GI Gvhd after Allogeneic Transplantation

901. Health Services and Quality Improvement: Non-Malignant Conditions Excluding Hemoglobinopathies: Poster I

Result Type: Paper Presenter: Melissa Thomas Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Saturday, December 7, 2024: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 2260

Authors: Melissa Thomas, MD; Spencer Gibson, MD; Arianna S Moss, BA; Ray Quy, MD; Eva Zhao, BS; Angelina Wang, BS; Ben P Debeusscher, BS; and Zahra Pakbaz, MD.

Title: Classical Hematology: Not so Easy! Call for Expert!

114. Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Trait, and Other Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding Thalassemias: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Sunday, December 8, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 2516

Co-authors: Richard E Harris, PhD, and Zahra Pakbaz, MD.

Title: Self-Administered Acupressure Improves Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

625. T Cell, NK Cell, or NK/T Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Sunday, December 8, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 3056

Co-author: Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, FACP

Title: Mogamulizumab in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides/Sézary Syndrome: Preliminary Results from an Ongoing Phase 2, Open-Label, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study Assessing a 4-Weekly Dosing Schedule

624. Hodgkin Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 4433

Co-author: Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, FACP

Title: Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Activity of KT-333, a Targeted Protein Degrader of STAT3, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Lymphomas, Leukemia, and Solid Tumors

 627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Monday, December 9, 2024: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM Pacific Ballroom Salons 18-19 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina)

Publication number: 987

Co-author: Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, FACP

Title: Glofitamab in Combination with Rituximab Plus Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, and Etoposide Shows Favorable Efficacy and Manageable Safety in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Eligible for Stem Cell Transplant or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: Results from a Phase Ib Study

625. T Cell, NK Cell, or NK/T Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II

Result Type: Paper Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Sunday, December 8, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 3061

Co-author: Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, FACP

Title: Duvelisib in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: Final Results from the Phase 2 PRIMO Trial

625. T Cell, NK Cell, or NK/T Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II

Result Type: Session Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Sunday, December 8, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 3056

Co-author: Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, FACP

Title: Mogamulizumab in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides/Sézary Syndrome: Preliminary Results from an Ongoing Phase 2, Open-Label, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study Assessing a 4-Weekly Dosing Schedule

627. Aggressive Lymphomas: Pharmacologic Therapies: Chemotherapy-free Combinations for Relapsed Aggressive Lymphomas

Result Type: Session Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Monday, December 9, 2024: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM Pacific Ballroom Salons 18-19 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina) Publication number: 987

Co-author: Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, FACP

Title: Glofitamab in Combination with Rituximab Plus Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, and Etoposide Shows Favorable Efficacy and Manageable Safety in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Eligible for Stem Cell Transplant or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: Results from a Phase Ib Study

624. Hodgkin Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III

Result Type: Session Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts Time and Location: Monday, December 9, 2024: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center)

Publication number: 4433

Co-author: Lauren Pinter-Brown, MD, FACP

Title: Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Activity of KT-333, a Targeted Protein Degrader of STAT3, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Lymphomas, Leukemia, and Solid Tumors