ASTCT Talks ASTCT

In this episode "ASTCT Talks,” hosts Rebecca Epperly, MD, and Aimee Talleur, MD, from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, dive into the pioneering realm of CAR T-cell therapy and its late effects on pediatric patients. The discussion unfolds at the intersection of innovation and caution, highlighting the recent sessions from the 2024 Tandem meetings. They explore the emerging challenges and lack of data concerning long-term impacts of this revolutionary treatment, particularly in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult populations. This episode sheds light on both the immense potential and the imperative need for comprehensive studies to better understand and mitigate the long-term consequences of cellular therapies in treating high-risk malignancies.

About Dr. Rebecca Epperly, MD

Dr. Rebecca Epperly is an Instructor in the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BMTCT) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. After gaining undergraduate degrees in biochemistry (BS) and music performance (BA), she received an MD from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She then completed pediatrics residency at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and BMTCT at St. Jude. As a clinician scientist, she is now working to improve outcomes for pediatric patients with high-risk malignancies using cellular based immunotherapy, with a focus on developing early-phase CAR T cell studies and evaluating the delayed effects of novel therapies.

About Dr. Aimee Talleur, MD

Dr. Aimee Talleur is an Assistant Member in the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BMTCT) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, specializing in the clinical investigation of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of high-risk malignant disorders. She completed her BA at Union College, MD at SUNY Upstate Medical University, pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center, and fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and BMTCT at St. Jude. As a clinician scientist, Dr. Talleur focuses on the advancement of novel cellular therapies through early-phase clinical trials, including CAR T cell therapy. Additionally, her work includes the evaluation of acute and long-term toxicities of this immunotherapy approaches, seeking to better define such toxicities to inform upon predictive and intervention strategies.

In this latest episode of ASTCT Talks, Rachel Schollmeier and NMDP’s Samantha Watters host author Mike Niles, delving into the captivating history of the Anthony Nolan bone marrow transplant register. Explore the evolution of transplantation, from no donor registries to international initiatives, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by bone marrow registries today. Discover the inspiring narratives behind bone marrow donation and the transformative advancements that continue to shape the future of transplantation. Plus, don't miss the chance to connect with Samantha's podcast, NMDP ‘Explore Cell Therapy,' for even more insights into the world of cellular treatments.

In the next installment of ASTCT’s Titans of Transplant series, Dr. Stephanie Lee is interviewed by Dr. Jennifer Saultz.

Dr. Lee shares her journey from Seattle to becoming a professor at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. The conversation highlights early motivations, challenges faced during fellowship, and the influence of her father's advice to always strive for the best. They also discuss Dr. Lee's groundbreaking work in chronic graft-versus-host-disease research, collaborative efforts, FDA-approved treatments, and the evolving landscape in the field.

The Titans of Transplant series seeks to recognize, celebrate and chronicle the physicians, researchers, pharmacists, nurses, social workers and more who were on the frontlines of the early days of transplant.

About Stephanie Lee, MD, MPH

Dr. Stephanie Lee (@StephanieLeeMD) is a hematologist and physician scientist who is Professor and Associate Director at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr. Lee works to improve the lives of blood stem cell transplant and bone marrow patients by better understanding the chronic form of graft-versus-host disease. Dr. Lee is the former President of the American Society of Hematology.

About Jennifer Saultz, D.O.

Dr. Jennifer Saultz (@jennifernsaultz) is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and physician scientist in the Adult Transplant and cellular therapy program at Oregon Health & Science University. Her research focuses on augmenting NK cellular therapy in myeloid malignancies. She is also a member of the ASTCT Content Committee.

In this latest episode of ASTCT Talks, Dr. Andrés Gómez De León sits down with Dr. Javier Bolaños-Meade. They delve into the groundbreaking BMT CTN 1703 study.

Together, they explore the historical context of GVHD prophylaxis, the evolution of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), and the essential contributions of the BMT CTN in transplantation research. Dr. Bolaños-Meade provides key insights into the study's design, conditioning regimens, and cell doses. The episode unravels the intricacies of PTCy, addressing both its merits and potential drawbacks, including Grade 2 infections, CMV reactivation, and cardiotoxicity, offering an exploration of the transformative impact of the BMT CTN 1703 study on the future of transplant medicine.

About Dr. Javier Bolaños Meade

Dr. Javier Bolaños Meade (@GvHD_Meade) is a Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and clinical director of the BMT Programme at The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, in Baltimore, Maryland. His research interest includes graft versus host disease prevention and therapy, as well as other complications of cell therapy.

About Dr. Andrés Gómez De León

Dr. Andrés Gómez De León (@GomezDLeonMD) is an Associate Professor at Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey Mexico and an ASTCT Content Committee member with an interest in acute leukemias and transplant and cell therapies in low and middle income countries.

In this latest episode of ASTCT Talks, Cory M. Edgar, DMSc, PA-C, sits down with Sarah Fitzmaurice, APRN, where they delve into the evolving landscape of survivorship care, particularly in the realm of CAR T-cell therapy. They discuss the development of CAR T-specific protocols, emphasizing the importance of post-treatment monitoring and patient education. They also explore the challenges of defining survivorship, the multidisciplinary nature of care, and insights into late effects, deconditioning, cognitive changes, and psychological concerns beyond the first year.



Tune into this episode of ASTCT Talks for a deep dive into the complexities and triumphs of survivorship care in the post-CAR T-cell therapy era.

About Sarah Fitzmaurice, APRN

Sarah Fitzmaurice, APRN, is a Nurse Practitioner at the University of Kansas Cancer Center Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics. She has practice in transplant and cell therapy for over 10 years, as well as experience with inpatient, outpatient, and apheresis clinical management of patients. For the last 4 years, she has specialized in Cancer Survivorship for patients after stem cell transplant and cellular therapy. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Luke’s Nursing School and worked as an RN in hematology/oncology for 7 years. She attained her Master’s of Science in Nursing as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner at KU’s School of Nursing in 2013. She holds certifications as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse, and Tobacco Treatment Specialist. Her interests include late effects and quality of life following stem cell transplant and cellular therapies.



About Cory Edgar DMSc, PA-C

Cory Edgar DMSc, PA-C, is a physician assistant at the AdventHealth Orlando Blood and Marrow Transplant Center. He established the AdventHealth HCT Survivorship Program and has served as the principal provider of the clinic since 2020. He also holds a joint appointment as an Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies at AdventHealth University. He serves on multiple APP initiatives within ASTCT, including the APP Steering Committee and chairs the APP Research subcommittee. Cory received his undergraduate training at the University of Florida , Master in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, and his Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg. His research interests include simulation in PA education, hematologic malignancies, cancer survivorship, and APP utilization in oncology specialties.

In this latest episode of ASTCT Talks, Dr. Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP, sits down with Dr. Amrita Krishnan, MD. They delve into the use of GPRC5D as a target in myeloma therapy, specifically focusing on Talquetamab.



Dr. Krishnan shares insights from the MonumenTAL-1 trial, discussing the dosing schedules and response rates with GPRC5D-targeted therapy. They explore the unique toxicities associated with this treatment, such as cytokine release syndrome and skin and nail toxicities. The conversation also touches on the considerations for patients who have previously received BCMA-targeted therapies and the potential of GPRC5D-targeted therapy in improving outcomes.



Tune in to learn about the evolving landscape of myeloma treatment beyond BCMA.



About Dr. Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP

Dr. Rahul Banerjee, MD, FACP, (@RahulBanerjeeMD) is an Assistant Professor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and at the University of Washington. His clinical interests are in multiple myeloma and CAR-T therapy. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications with a research emphasis on reducing toxicities and improving the patient experience during treatment for multiple myeloma.



About Dr. Amrita Krishnan, MD

Dr. Amrita Krishnan, MD (@DoctorAKrishnan) directs the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research at City of Hope, seeking to make gains in one of the most rapidly changing areas in cancer research.



A key member of the City of Hope team since 1996, Dr. Krishnan trained at The University of Rochester, Beth Israel Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Research Cancer Center and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She serves as a steering committee member on the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and the North American representative to the International Myeloma Society, former chair of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network myeloma committee and is the Co-Chair of several of the largest myeloma transplant trials in the U.S.



Her research interests are in development of new drugs for relapsed myeloma and understanding mechanisms of disease resistance.