As the year winds down, it’s only natural to reflect on all that’s happened since the last ASH annual meeting — the successes, the challenges, and the moments that inspired gratitude. For me, serving as a writer for ASH News Daily in 2023 was an incredible experience that I continue to reflect upon. The opportunity to capture firsthand insights from clinicians and scientists in curating a behind-the-scenes perspective of their work was invaluable. Covering the full spectrum of hematology — from basic science to health equity leadership to one-on-one conversations with quality improvement champions and clinical trial giants — truly gave me a renewed appreciation for the remarkable efforts and advancements in the field. I must also admit how genuinely gratifying it was to see ASH attendees’ enthusiasm for my work and that of my colleagues on ASH News Daily. As deputy editor this year, the chance to shape meeting content in an engaging, accessible, and informative format while collaborating with an exceptional team of writers is honestly one of the biggest reasons I am pumped for ASH 2024.
The themes emerging from this year’s content really bring to the fore many questions that have been quietly brewing for me, answers some of them, and generates more food for thought. In an unexpected parallel, the 2022 movie Everything Everywhere All at Once comes to mind when I think of this year’s meeting. The award-winning, genre-defying, Asian American sci-fi film journeys through multiverses, explores the annihilation of time and space, and delves into existentialism. Artificial intelligence is ASH’s multiverse theme for 2024. It seems to be everywhere, shaping research and clinical practice in exciting ways. Like the film’s exploration of multiple realities, AI algorithms explore vast datasets, finding meaning and solutions in complex environments. This year’s ASH lineup dives deep into AI applications in genomics, diagnostics, decision-making, and clinical workflows. Make sure to check out sessions such as The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Hematological Diagnostics and the ASH Clinicians in Practice Lunch, The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Hematology Practice: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, to explore both the impressive advances and important ethical conversations around AI in hematology.
Cellular therapy is another major focus, gaining momentum “everywhere all at once.” With approvals rapidly expanding, from B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) to chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for multiple myeloma in earlier lines of therapy, and new indications for CD19 CAR-T in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, this field is booming. I’m especially looking forward to updates on engineering advances that promise faster production, enhanced CAR-T durability, and novel applications across more diseases. One of the big challenges for me as a multiple myeloma physician is the management of the toxicities of CAR-T therapy. The real-world-experience oral sessions and poster presentations always hold great clinical value, and I am keen to hear what else has emerged regarding late-onset toxicities, evolving management strategies, and updated survival data for cellular therapies.
ASH’s unwavering commitment to health equity and equity initiatives is also exceptional and expansive. Hematologic conditions that were sidelined for decades, such as sickle cell disease (SCD) and iron deficiency states, have finally secured the scientific spotlights they deserve. At ASH 2023, the huge revelation was the dWIZ-1 molecular glue that enhances the production of fetal hemoglobin. This year, I’m buzzed to hear about the continuation of this “WIZardry” in terms of drug development, glean what’s new in mechanistic insights in SCD, and catch up on the latest gene-editing technologies and randomized clinical trials for patients with hemoglobin SS (and its underrecognized counterpart, hemoglobin SC). Apart from traditional science, the annual meeting’s ASH Health Equity Studio will offer quick-learning sessions on reducing disparities in clinical trials, bridging language gaps in hematology, and tackling barriers to care. If you missed it last year, there’s no excuse not to drop by this time.
For those of us enthusiastic about wellness (me included!), ASH definitely has something special in store. Bring your running shoes for the ASH Foundation Run/Walk. And don’t miss out on the ASH Wellness Studio, with sessions on burnout, mindfulness, and physical ergonomics, as well as other practical ways to support hematologists’ well-being.
Finally, we’re back in beautiful San Diego for ASH 2024. With nearly perfect weather and scenic coastline views, it’s the ideal location for this year’s meeting. Don’t forget to use the #ASH24 hashtag on social media so others can join in on your experiences. I hope you are all as pumped as I am for ASH 2024!
