Translating CAR T-Cell Therapies From Hematologic to Solid Malignancies: Sonali Smith, MD
Sonali M. Smith, MD, of the University of Chicago Medical Center, unpacks efforts to extend the success of CAR T-cell therapy from hematologic malignancies to solid tumors. She explained that solid tumors pose distinct challenges, including tumor-suppressive microenvironments and the lack of highly specific, safe antigen targets. Smith noted that targets under investigation include PD-L1, PSMA, claudin 18.2, and EGFR, each requiring careful cellular engineering to strengthen safety and efficacy. She highlighted ongoing work at the University of Chicago Medicine’s David and Etta Jonas Center for Cellular Therapy to develop next-generation CAR T-cell therapy strategies for solid tumors.
Improving CAR T-Cell Therapies in Lymphoma: Alexandra Rojek, MD
Alexandra Rojek, MD, of the University of Chicago Medicine, discusses translational research focused on improving CAR T-cell therapy outcomes in lymphoma. She explained that longer CAR T-cell persistence has been linked with durable remissions, although the optimal duration of persistence remains biologically undefined. Rojek described national and institutional efforts to refine CAR T-cell design to improve outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and refractory disease, follicular lymphoma, as well as other histologies. She also referenced her work examining CAR T-cell therapy in secondary central nervous system lymphoma and investigating metabolic tumor volume as a prognostic biomarker in aggressive large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Importance of Biomarker Status for Third-Line Treatment Selection in mCRC: Benjamin Weinberg, MD
Benjamin A. Weinberg, MD, FACP, of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University, explains how molecular profiling guides treatment selection and sequencing in metastatic colorectal cancer. He emphasized that biomarkers such as RAS, BRAF, HER2 amplification, and microsatellite instability (MSI) should inform frontline therapy, including up-front immunotherapy for MSI-high or mismatch repair–deficient disease. In later lines, Weinberg highlighted HER2-directed approaches such as tucatinib (Tukysa) plus trastuzumab (Herceptin) and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu). He underscored the importance of repeat molecular testing, particularly with liquid biopsies, to identify evolving targets such as BRAF mutations that may be actionable in the third-line setting or beyond.
Limb Salvage and Endoprosthetic Reconstruction in Sarcoma: R. Lor Randall, MD, FACS
Joseph Dominic Femino, MD, of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, discusses progress made in limb reconstruction after sarcoma-related bone tumor resection. He explained that modern metal endoprosthetic implants now allow for limb salvage in cases that previously required amputation, with significant improvements in durability and fixation techniques. Femino highlighted innovations like dynamic compressive ingrowth attachments and the ELEOS Limb Salvage System, which incorporates NanoCept Antibacterial Implant Technology and is being examined in a national postmarket study. He also described advances in internal bone transport techniques leveraging motorized intramedullary devices, which allow reconstruction of large defects while preserving limb function and quality of life.