Program | Speaker |
|---|---|
Welcome and Introduction | Chair: Susan O’Brien (Irvine, CA, USA) |
Compromised Immunity: The Hidden Challenge in Hematologic Malignancies | Susan O’Brien (Irvine, CA, USA) |
Are B-cell Depleting Therapies Opening the Door for Infections? | Sara Barmettler (Boston, MA, USA) |
Navigating Immune Challenges when targeting plasma cells | Hartmut Goldschmidt (Heidelberg, Germany) |
Managing Secondary Antibody Deficiency in Clinical Practice | Stephen Jolles (Cardiff, UK) |
Q&A | All Faculty |
Conclusion | Susan O’Brien (Irvine, CA, USA) |
Italy13/06/2025
EHA Congress 2025
Octapharma Update-in-Hematology
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Infection Risk in Focus:
How Do Hematologic Malignancies and Treatments Increase Infection Susceptibility?
Friday, 13 June 2025
10:00 - 11:30 AM CEST
Amber Hall 5+6 | MiCo Milano Convention Centre, Milan
Patients with hematologic malignancies are at increased risk of infections, driven by both disease-related immune dysfunction and the effects of therapies compromising immunity. This session will focus on how therapies contribute to immune impairment and the resulting challenges in infection prevention and management.
B-cell targeted treatments including anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and CD19 CAR T-cell therapies are known to induce secondary immune deficiencies. Key considerations for identifying high-risk patients and managing infections in this setting will be explored in detail.
The session will then focus on plasma cell disorders, particularly multiple myeloma, where therapies such as anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and BCMA-CAR T-cells can significantly compromise immune function. With these therapies becoming more widely used, defining best practices for infection prevention and supportive care is increasingly important.
Given the significant risk of antibody deficiencies and infections associated with these therapies, practical guidance informed by both current evidence and clinical experience will be provided to support clinical decision-making in this evolving landscape. Prophylactic strategies including the use of intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapies will be discussed, supported by the latest clinical data, expert recommendations, and guidelines.
The session will conclude with an interactive panel discussion. The audience is encouraged to engage with faculty experts and share perspectives on managing infections in such patients.
Update-in-Hematology programme
Chair: Susan O'Brien
This scientific information may include data/information on investigational uses of compounds/drugs that have not yet been approved by regulatory authorities. This program was developed for use outside the U.S., is intended for non-U.S. HCPs, and is to be used in accordance with local laws and regulations.
To attend this Update-in-Hematology, please register to the EHA 2025 Congress
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