The 64^th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Meeting and Exposition was held in New Orleans this year. This premier event in malignant and classical hematology hosts the presentation of thousands of abstracts from an array of topics including disorders of coagulation or fibrinolysis, thrombotic microangiopathies/thrombocytopenias, and COVID-19-related thrombotic/vascular disorders. This year Perth Blood Institute’s Professor Ross Baker and Dr Maan Alwan were unable to attend in person, however three of their studies were presented at the conference.

Prof. Baker was the lead author for ‘Phase 1/2a Study to Evaluate Safety, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Dose Escalation and Expansion Study of PXS-5505 in Patients with Primary, Post-Polycythemia Vera or Post-Essential Thrombocythemia Myelofibrosis’. The primary objective of this research study is to determine the safety, tolerability, and appropriate dose of the drug therapy ‘PXS-5505’ in patients with Myelofibrosis. Expected completion of the study is July 2023, however initial findings have determined suitable dosage levels, which has been selected as the recommended dose for the currently ongoing expansion phase with no dose limiting toxicity seen thus far.

Full abstract - https://ash.confex.com/ash/2022/webprogram/Paper158344.html

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Prof. Baker was also co-author for ‘Isatuximab Plus Carfilzomib and Dexamethasone (Isa-Kd) in Patients with Early Versus Late Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: Ikema Subgroup Analysis’. This study examined updated efficacy and safety of Isa-Kd in patients with Multiple Myeloma. Results found that the addition of Isa to Kd improved final progression-free survival and depth of response, with a manageable safety profile in both early and late relapse patients. These findings support Isa-Kd as a standard of care in patients with relapsed and/or refractory Multiple Myeloma regardless of early or late relapse.

Full abstract - https://ash.confex.com/ash/2022/webprogram/Paper159105.html

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Dr Alwan was a co-author for ‘A Potent BET Inhibitor, As Monotherapy and in Combination with Ruxolitinib or Fedratinib in Intermediate or High-Risk Myelofibrosis: First Results from a Phase 1/2 Study’. The main objective during the dose-escalation phase was the assessment of safety, tolerability, and determination of maximum tolerated dose of the drug BMS-986158 combined with Ruxolitinib or Fedratinib. The study also investigated spleen volume reduction (SVR). Initial results demonstrate that either combination produced robust SVR in patients with Myelofibrosis. Responses also deepened beyond Week 12 with continued treatment.

Full abstract - https://ash.confex.com/ash/2022/webprogram/Paper159476.html