Strong Mentorship Opportunities Support the Next Generations of Women in Lymphoma: With Chandler Park, MD; and Ann S. LaCasce, MD, MMSc

In this week's episode of MedNews Week's Oncology Unplugged, host Chandler Park, MD, a medical oncologist at Norton Cancer Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, spoke with Ann S. LaCasce, MD, MMSc, an associate professor of medicine and a lymphoma specialist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts and Director of the Dana-Farber/Mass General Brigham Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology. LaCasce shares her journey into hematologic oncology, shaped by early mentors—including her father—and how a passion for art history sparked her interest in pattern recognition and morphology, which are skills central to lymphoma diagnosis.

Their discussion explores key advancements in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma management, including efforts to reduce long-term toxicity by minimizing radiation in early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. LaCasce also highlights the incorporation of novel agents, such as brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) and checkpoint inhibitors, into frontline regimens aimed at improving outcomes without increasing treatment burden.

Park and LaCasce also discuss the importance of education and mentorship. She describes her work directing one of the country’s largest hematology/oncology fellowship programs and her leadership in founding the international Women in Lymphoma network to foster collaboration and gender equity in the field. From clinical innovation to workforce development, LaCasce provides a comprehensive look into the role of multidisciplinary research, mentorship, and global engagement in advancing the future of lymphoma management.