EHA 2025: Late-Breaking Abstracts Highlight Hematology Innovations

On June 15, 2025, during the final day of the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress held in Milan, Italy, a series of late-breaking abstracts showcased a wide range of advancements in the field of hematology. According to Dr. Brian Huntly, session co-chair and a researcher at the University of Cambridge, these findings reflect the vibrancy and potential of hematological research. The session featured pivotal updates from various clinical trials, focusing on combination therapies and novel agents that promise to enhance patient outcomes across multiple hematological diseases.

Among the most notable presentations was the RedirecTT-1 trial, presented by Dr. Shaji Kumar of the Mayo Clinic. The study investigated the efficacy of the combination of talquetamab and teclistamab in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and extramedullary disease, conditions typically associated with poor treatment responses. The trial, which included patients who had previously shown limited response to monotherapies, reported a striking overall response rate of 78.9%. Dr. Kumar emphasized that over half of the participants achieved at least a complete response, marking a significant improvement compared to monotherapy approaches. This dual-targeting bispecific combination could represent a major advancement in the treatment paradigm for this challenging subset of myeloma patients (Kumar S, 2025).

Another impactful presentation came from Dr. John Mascarenhas of Mount Sinai, who discussed the promising results of INCA33989, a novel monoclonal antibody aimed at treating essential thrombocythemia (ET) with CALR mutations. In initial phase 1 trials, INCA33989 exhibited a strong safety profile and led to rapid normalization of platelet counts in participants, suggesting its potential as a targeted therapy (Mascarenhas J, 2025).

The session also featured groundbreaking research on immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), presented by Dr. Yanmei Xu from China’s National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases. The first randomized controlled trial of the agent CM313 demonstrated its effectiveness in improving platelet counts and reducing bleeding events in adults with ITP. Dr. Xu noted that the therapy works by inhibiting antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, providing hope for patients suffering from this debilitating condition (Xu Y, 2025).

In the realm of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Dr. Daisy Diaz Rohena from MD Anderson Cancer Center presented findings on the mechanisms of resistance to venetoclax, a common treatment for CLL. Her research identified critical markers of resistance, indicating that upregulation of NF-κB signaling could serve as a potential target for future therapies (Diaz Rohena D, 2025).

Lastly, Dr. Maria Queralt Salas from Hospital Clinic Barcelona introduced a new frailty scale designed to assess patients' prehabilitation needs prior to undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHCT). This scale aims to streamline the assessment process, yielding valuable prognostic information while emphasizing the importance of pre- and post-transplant rehabilitation programs (Queralt Salas M, 2025).

The breadth of topics covered in these late-breaking abstracts reflects an exciting time in hematology, with ongoing research poised to significantly impact clinical practices and patient outcomes. As Dr. Huntly concluded, the diversity of this research underscores the dynamic nature of the specialty, highlighting the importance of continued investigation and innovation in the field.