Scientific Program Co-Chairs
On Location
American Society of Hematology ’ s
2016 ANNUAL MEETING INSIDE LOOK : INSIGHTS FROM PROGRAM CHAIRS
his year ’ s ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition , taking place December 3-6 in San Diego , California , features a diverse lineup of educational activities , networking opportunities , and practicechanging science . ASH Clinical News spoke with the program co-chairs for an exclusive look at highlighted sessions and what attendees can expect from the meeting .
Scientific Program Co-Chairs
Robert A . Brodsky , MD The Johns Hopkins Family Professor of Medicine and Oncology Director , Division of Hematology The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore , MD
Ross Levine , MD Laurence Joseph Dineen Chair in Leukemia Research Director of MSK Center for Hematologic Malignancies Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York , NY
In your opinion , what are the “ can ’ t- miss ” events attendees should put on their schedules ? Dr . Levine : Obviously , we are excited about the whole Scientific Program , so asking us that question is like asking us to choose a favorite child . Everything is a “ can ’ t-miss ” session for attendees , but , for the purposes of paring down a schedule , I would say that Sunday ’ s Plenary Scientific Session will be a greatest hits compilation of both clinical and translational basic science .
Dr . Brodsky : This year ’ s Special Scientific Symposium on “ Genomic Instability in Lymphoid Development ” should also be interesting ; speakers will describe new insights into the role of genomic instability in normal lymphoid development and in neoplasia .
As always , the awards presentations will cover engaging topics : J . Evan Sadler , MD , PhD , and Ayalew Tefferi , MD , are accepting the Henry M . Stratton Medal for Basic Research and Clinical / Translational Research , respectively , and will speak about approaches to von Willebrand disease , thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura , and myeloproliferative neoplasms . This year ’ s Presidential Symposium will cover biologic and therapeutic advances pertaining to sickle cell disease .
Dr . Levine : The Oral Sessions are full of tremendous science , and the “ Best of ASH ,” which takes place on Tuesday , gives attendees a review of the biggest breakthroughs from the meeting ’ s abstract presentations , including the Late-Breaking Abstracts .
Which areas of research do you think will have the most exciting implications for clinical practice ? Dr . Brodsky : I think attendees will benefit from attending the new joint session developed by the Scientific Committee on Blood Disorders in Childhood and the Scientific Committee on Red Cell Biology , which will feature cutting-edge talks on understanding and repairing diseased red blood cells , including the recent investigations in mouse models and clinical specimens . New concepts in genome regulation and novel approaches , such as gene therapy and alternatives to gene therapy for hemoglobinopathies , will be discussed . These should have important laboratory and clinical implications .
Dr . Levine : Genomics and precision medicine are emerging themes and continue to be a focus of this year ’ s scientific program . There are a lot of discussions about genomic profiling of patients , including a Scientific Spotlight Session on “ Precision Medicine Trials as a Novel Approach to Drug Development ” ( read more about this
74 ASH Clinical News December 2016