Innovative Approaches in Hematology: Insights from EHA 2025 Congress

The 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, held in Milan, Italy, showcased groundbreaking research in hematology, particularly focusing on novel drug regimens and molecular investigations related to conditions such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. The plenary session highlighted five pivotal studies that exemplified the ongoing advancements in treating hematologic disorders through innovative therapies and genetic insights.

The presentations began with Dr. Rakesh Popat, MBBS, PhD, from University College London, who discussed the promising results of JNJ-5332, a novel trispecific antibody targeting CD3, BCMA, and GPRC5D in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). The early phase 1 results indicated a striking 70.4% complete response rate among BCMA/GPRC5D-naïve patients, with manageable adverse effects, suggesting its potential as an outpatient therapy (Popat et al., 2025).

Dr. Matthew Matasar from Rutgers Cancer Institute presented findings from the phase 3 POLARGO trial, which evaluated polatuzumab vedotin in combination with rituximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The trial demonstrated a 40% reduction in the risk of death compared to the standard treatment, establishing polatuzumab as a potential new standard of care, particularly in settings with limited access to CAR T-cell therapies (Matasar et al., 2025).

In another significant study, Dr. Harry Gill from the University of Hong Kong reported on the SURPASS-ET trial, which compared ropeginterferon alfa-2b to anagrelide in high-risk essential thrombocytopenia patients. Ropeginterferon achieved a 42.9% response rate versus only 6.0% for anagrelide, indicating its superior efficacy and potential to modify the disease (Gill et al., 2025).

Dr. David Curtis from Monash University presented findings from the ALLG BM12 CAST trial, which assessed cyclophosphamide as a prophylactic treatment against graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after stem cell transplants. The results showed a 49% survival rate without GVHD or relapse, suggesting a significant shift in post-transplant care strategies (Curtis et al., 2025).

The session concluded with Dr. Ian Márquez-López of Hospital Clinic Barcelona and Dr. Amin Turki from University Hospital Bochum, who presented research on molecular characterizations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), respectively. Their studies utilized advanced machine learning techniques to identify distinct biological clusters within AML, potentially enhancing personalized treatment approaches (Márquez-López et al., 2025; Turki et al., 2025).

The EHA Congress emphasized the critical role of continuous research and development in hematology, where molecular insights and innovative therapeutic strategies are transforming patient care. This year's findings reflect a significant shift towards personalized medicine and the integration of genetic data into treatment protocols, paving the way for future breakthroughs in hematologic disorders. As the field advances, the collaboration among research institutions, clinical practitioners, and regulatory bodies will be essential in translating these findings into clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes globally.