Dana-Farber–Led Studies in Sickle Cell Disease, Waldenström’s, Follicular and Mantle Cell Lymphomas, and MDS Presented at ASH 2025

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will present more than 120 oral and poster presentations at the 67th American Society for Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida, December 6 to 9, highlighting advances from lab discoveries to clinical trials that aim to improve patient care and outcomes. Dana-Farber investigators will present data on chemo free, time limited strategies in B cell lymphomas; fixed duration targeted regimens in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia; mechanistic insights into sickle cell pathobiology; subgroup analyses from a Phase 3 study in higher risk MDS; and patient centered outcomes research in pediatric ALL, and more.

A full list of Dana-Farber Presentations at ASH 2025 is available here: Dana-Farber Presentations at ASH 2025.

Dana-Farber Highlights at ASH 2025

Dr. Lachelle Weeks will present “Sickle cell disease is associated with early-onset clonal hematopoiesis involving DNA damage response pathway mutations,” OCCC - W311ABCD, Saturday, December 6, 09:45 AM - 10:00 AM EST.

Dr. Jacqueline Garcia (senior author): “Subgroup analyses from the randomized, Phase 3 VERONA study of venetoclax with azacitidine (Ven+Aza) versus placebo with azacitidine (Pbo+Aza) in patients with treatment-naïve, intermediate and higher-risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (HR MDS),” presented by Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD, OCCC - Valencia Room W415BC, Saturday, December 6, 2PM. 

Dr. Kira Bona (senior author): “Cumulative incidence of household material hardship and income loss as measures of financial toxicity during pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment: A report from the DFCI ALL 16-001 Trial,” speaker: Daniel Zheng, MD, MHS, MSHP, OCCC - W230, Sunday, December 7, 4:45PM.

Drs. Jorge Castillo and Shayna Sarosiek: Targeted, time-limited therapies in Waldenström macroglobulinemia; Castillo will present “High VGPR/CR rates with pirtobrutinib plus venetoclax in previously treated Waldenström macroglobulinemia: Results from a multicenter phase II study,” OCCC - Tangerine Ballroom F2, Saturday, December 6, 2:30PM. Sarosiek will present “Deep responses following treatment with loncastuximab tesirine (WM-NET1 trial) in patients with Relapsed/Refractory, including those with high-risk, TP53-altered Waldenström macroglobulinemia,” OCCC - West Hall E2, Sunday, December 7, 1PM.

Drs. Reid Merryman and Austin Kim: Chemo-free strategies in B-cell lymphomas; Merryman will present “Rituximab and epcoritamab as first-line therapy for patients with high-tumor burden follicular lymphoma: Results of a multicenter phase II trial,” OCCC - West Hall D2, Sunday, December 7, 09:45 AM - 10:00 AM; Kim will present “Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological - Novel Treatments for and Insights into Mantle Cell Lymphoma,” OCCC - Tangerine Ballroom F2, Sunday, December 7, 5:15PM.

Triplet Therapy Shows Activity and Transplant Potential in BPDCN TAG AZA VEN demonstrates efficacy and tolerability in a Phase II study

Dr. Andy Lane presents Phase 2 results of TAG-AZA-VEN—tagraxofusp, azacitidine, and venetoclax—for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare, aggressive blood cancer with limited options. TAG is the only approved therapy, but many patients relapse, and its 5-day schedule requires intensive monitoring due to capillary leak risk. In this study, a shorter 3-day TAG schedule within TAG-AZA-VEN was well tolerated, with capillary leak rates similar or lower than single-agent TAG. Early outcomes (responses, transplant rates, survival) appeared comparable or better than with TAG or AZA-VEN alone, noting this was not a head-to-head comparison. The regimen may reduce monitoring needs and offers added benefit for patients with co-occurring myeloid disease such as MDS or CMML, since AZA-VEN can treat that component alongside BPDCN. 

“These early results point to a safer, more workable option that can keep patients on track, often toward transplant, while addressing co-existing disease,” said Dr. Lane.

• Study Title: Tagraxofusp, azacitidine, and venetoclax (TAG AZA VEN) triplet therapy shows efficacy, tolerability, and transplant potential in patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN): Results of a phase 2 trial 
• Session: OCCC – Chapin Theater (W320) on Sunday, December 7, 05:30 PM–05:45 PM EST.

Advances in GVHD Prophylaxis After HLA-Mismatched Unrelated Donor Transplant Post transplant cyclophosphamide based strategy evaluated in an access expansion study

Dr. Mahasweta Gooptu will present results from a Phase II study of post transplant cyclophosphamide based graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis after HLA mismatched unrelated donor transplantation using reduced intensity conditioning, reported from the NMDP sponsored ACCESS expansion study. The approach aims to improve GVHD prevention while maintaining disease control, potentially expanding safe transplant options for patients who lack fully matched donors. 
“Our goal is to make mismatched unrelated donor transplants safer and more accessible,” said Gooptu. “If this strategy continues to show favorable tolerability and GVHD control, it could broaden curative options for patients who urgently need a donor.”

• Study Title: Phase II Study of post-transplant cyclophosphamide based graft versus host disease prophylaxis after HLA mismatched unrelated donor transplantation and reduced intensity conditioning: Results from the NMDP sponsored access expansion Study 
• Poster Session: OCCC – West Halls B3–B4 on Sunday, December 7, 6PM

PROMISE Study Advances Early Detection and Refines Risk for Myeloma Precursors

Dr. Sabine Allam is presenting results from PROMISE, the first nationwide U.S. screening of high-risk individuals for myeloma precursor conditions using mass spectrometry. The study tested approximately 30,000 individuals and found MGUS in 12.6 percent overall. Among adults 50 and older in high-risk groups, prevalence was higher in Black participants at 17.8 percent compared with 14.8 percent in non-Black participants with a family history of blood cancer. Age was the strongest predictor, and African genetic ancestry was also associated with higher prevalence. The team also observed differences in MGUS type and concentration by group, offering biological clues that can refine risk assessment and follow-up. For patients, this means earlier identification of those at highest risk, enabling closer monitoring and timely intervention to help prevent multiple myeloma.

“This is about bringing early detection to the people at highest risk. PROMISE shows we can do this at scale with a simple blood test and use age and ancestry-linked risk to guide smarter, more equitable screening,” said Dr. Allam.

• Study Title: Results of the PROMISE study from approximately 30,000 individuals screened for monoclonal gammopathies 
• Session: OCCC – West Hall E2 on Saturday, December 6, 4PM