HemaSphere Podcast

In this episode, host HemaSphere Scientific Editor Dr Charley de Bock speaks with Associate Professor Dr Matthew Greenwood about the SUBLIME (ALL09) trial, which explores replacing consolidation chemotherapy with blinatumomab in adolescents and young adults with B‑cell ALL. They discuss why immunotherapy may outperform traditional cytotoxic approaches, how MRD‑guided treatment is reshaping risk stratification, and what future protocols might look like as genomic and immune‑response data are integrated in real time. Dr. Greenwood also shares upcoming innovations—including menin inhibitors, venetoclax‑based MRD targeting, and adaptive platform designs—along with honest insights into the challenges of running clinical trials across Australia.

In this extended episode of the HemaSphere podcast, based on a must-read Perspective "Can health inequalities in sickle cell disease be addressed through novel therapies?", our host Scientific Editor Charles de Bock discusses sickle cell disease with co-authors, covering both expert and lived-patient perspectives. They explore the complexities of living with the disease, the current treatment landscape, and highlight the ongoing health inequalities faced by patients, the impact of withdrawn therapies, and the need for improved communication and trust between patients and healthcare providers.Further information:No One's Listening ReportShaniqua's Sickle ChroniclesNICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)UK NHS blood donationPlease take a few minutes and let us know what you think about this episode! Podcast Feedback

Dr. Anikó Sijs-Szabó & Roger Mulet Lázaro, PhD, join Dr. Charles de Bock to unpack the challenges of diagnosing and treating acute leukemias of ambiguous lineage (ALAL). Discover how RNA sequencing, machine learning, and collaboration are shaping the future of precision medicine in hematology. 🎧 Listen and then read the full open-access article on the HemaSphere website https://bit.ly/4oeJo6w

Dr Kai Rejeski, hematologist researching CAR-T toxicities, discusses prolonged cytopenias after CAR-T and why they were underappreciated. He describes running a 72-center, 18-country survey, debates early GCSF use and stem cell boosts for severe neutropenia. He also talks about creating a practical ICAT grading framework and priorities for future CAR-T research.

Host Dr Charles de Bock speaks with Prof Michel Zwaan and Prof Olaf Heidenreich, co-authors from the 2025 HemaSphere Award - Top Cited: Biology paper, "The MLL-Menin Interaction is a Therapeutic Vulnerability in NUP98-rearranged AML." The conversation delves into the complexities of #AML, particularly focusing on NUP98 rearranged AML and the therapeutic potential of Menin inhibitors. The discussion highlights the challenges in treating this aggressive form of leukemia, the mechanisms of menin inhibitors, and the importance of combining therapies to improve patient outcomes. Season 3, Episode 5: Tackling NUP98 Rearranged AML in Pediatric Oncology, is on our website and all major podcast platforms. Listen and enjoy casual, insightful discussions about #hematology research.

In this second part of a 2-part episode, Dr Charles De Bock engages with Prof Dr Petya Apostolova and Dr Jörg Büscher to explore the intricate relationship between metabolism and hematology, particularly focusing on #AML. They discuss the challenges and advancements in metabolomics, the importance of integrating multi-omics approaches, and the future directions of research in this field. The conversation highlights the need for a deeper understanding of metabolic pathways and their implications for cancer treatment, emphasizing the significance of context in cellular behavior and the potential of spatial metabolomics."Metabolism in hematology, Part 2”, is on our website, all major podcast platforms, and YouTube. Listen and enjoy casual, insightful discussions about #hematology research. You can find the referenced Review article, in full and open access, here on the HemaSphere website.

In this 2-part episode of the HemaSphere podcast, host Dr Charles de Bock and guests Dr Jörg Büscher and Prof Dr Petya Apostolova discuss the critical role of metabolism in cellular function, particularly in the context of hematology and cancer research. The discussion highlights the technological advancements in metabolic analysis and their impact on understanding cellular metabolism. They also explore the challenges and future directions in metabolism research and the potential of spatial metabolomics."Metabolism in hematology”, is on our website, all major podcast platforms, and YouTube. Listen and enjoy casual, insightful discussions about #hematology research. You can find the referenced Review article, in full and open access, here on the HemaSphere website.

In this episode of the HemaSphere podcast, host Charles de Bock and guest Tim Mocking, PhD, discuss the role of machine learning in the assessment of measurable residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). They explore the challenges of MRD detection, the potential of machine learning to improve accuracy and efficiency, and the importance of understanding the human element in computational methods. The conversation also touches on the adoption of AI in hematology, the future of flow cytometry, and the implications of new technologies for patient care.Episode 3.3 - Machine learning for AML-MRD is based on the recently published Review Article "Applications of machine learning for immunophenotypic measurable residual disease assessment in acute myeloid leukemia”, is on our website, all major podcast platforms, and YouTube. Listen and enjoy casual, insightful discussions about #hematology research. You can find the referenced article, in full and open access, here on the HemaSphere website.

In this episode of the HemaSphere podcast, host Dr Charles De Bock discusses the newly published Guidelines on the treatment of neutropenias with co-authors Dr. Francesca Fioredda and Dr. Eleni Papadaki. They explore the importance of these international guidelines, the challenges faced in gathering evidence, and the consensus-building process among experts. The conversation also delves into treatment options, including gene therapy and stem cell transplants, while highlighting the need for more research in the field."European guidelines on treatment and supportive measures in chronic neutropenias: A consensus between the European Hematology Association and the EuNet-INNOCHRON COST Action based on a systematic evidence review”, is on our website, all major podcast platforms, and YouTube. Listen and enjoy casual, insightful discussions about #hematology research. You can find the referenced article, in full and open access, here on the HemaSphere website. This is a follow up to the neutropenia Guidelines published in 2023, which focused on diagnosis and management. Both the previous Guidelines and the podcast episode can be found here.Other papers referenced:Ritter MU, Nasri M, Dannenmann B, et al. Comparison of Gene-Editing Approaches for Severe Congenital Neutropenia-Causing Mutations in the ELANE Gene. CRISPR J. 2024 Oct;7(5):258-271. doi: 10.1089/crispr.2024.0006. PMID: 39436283. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39436283/Nasri M, Ritter MU, Mir P, Dannenmann B, et al. CRISPR-Cas9n-mediated ELANE promoter editing for gene therapy of severe congenital neutropenia. Mol Ther. 2024 Jun 5;32(6):1628-1642. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.037. Epub 2024 Mar 30. PMID: 38556793; PMCID: PMC11184331. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38556793/

In this episode of the HemaSphere podcast, host Charles De Bock engages with HemaSphere Editor in Chief Professor Jan Cools, Professor Heidi Segers, and Doctor Margo Aertgeerts to discuss their recent study on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). They explore the advancements in treatment, particularly for high-hyperdiploid ALL, the challenges of relapse, and the innovative use of single cell sequencing to uncover insights into genetic mutations and clonal composition. The conversation delves into the implications of RAS mutations, the technical challenges of analyzing rare cell populations, and the future of integrating transcriptomics with single cell analysis to enhance understanding and treatment of leukemia.“Single‐cell DNA and surface protein”, is on our website, all major podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcast, and more) and YouTube. Listen and enjoy casual, insightful discussions about #hematology research. You can find the referenced article, in full and open access, here on the HemaSphere website.