#ASH18 Live Blog

Our Mayo Clinic colleagues are in San Diego for the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Follow this blog for live updates from #ASH18 as we attend the conference, mingle with colleagues at booth #2927, and have a little fun. Have a comment or photo to share? Send it to us on Twitter (@MayoClinicLabs) or Facebook.


Dec. 3 at 2:15 p.m. PST

See You in Orlando!

The exhibit hall is closed, and we are wrapping up our activities in San Diego. Thank you so much to our symposium presenters, in-booth experts, physicians, scientists, and allied health staff. Thanks for a great #ASH18. We are already looking forward to #ASH19!


Dec. 3 at 11:55 a.m. PST

Ask Our Experts

Mayo Clinic experts will be available for collegial discussions and to answer your questions throughout the ASH conference in booth #2927.

The following expert will be stopping by our booth on Monday:

David Murray, M.D., Ph.D. – Noon to 1 p.m. 

As Co-Director of the Mayo Protein Immunology Laboratory, Dr. Murray has developed a novel approach to the screening and monitoring of patients with monoclonal gammopathies. The new MALDI-TOF MS is a more sensitive and specific approach to testing and replaces traditional immunofixation and/or immunodiffusion (IFE) techniques, which have been in place for more than 45 years. This new technology also allows for the monitoring of patients for a longer period of time before progressing to a bone marrow sample.


Dec. 3 at 8:15 a.m. PST

Additional Featured Presentations on Sunday

Patient-Reported Outcome-Driven Case-Management System for Hematology—A Prospective Study

Rahma Warsame, M.D., discusses her study with us before she gives her presentation at ASH this morning at 11:30 a.m. in Room 25B (San Diego Convention Center).

Mass Spectrometry to Measure Response in Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis (AL)

Presented by: Angela Dispenzieri, M.D. |Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center)
6 to 8 p.m.

Our group has demonstrated that MASS-FIX is a quick, inexpensive, and accurate means to diagnose and monitor the serum and urine of patients with plasma cell disorders. Screening can be done with a MALDI-TOF MS and samples reflexed to microflow liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) and Q-TOF MS (microLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS). Because this technique provides a mass/charge (m/z) for a given patient’s monoclonal protein, this method can provide greater sensitivity and specificity to monitor for complete response (CR), especially in patients receiving therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Our goal was to assess the performance of miRAMM in patients with AL who have been classified as CR using conventional means.

Patterns of Care and Outcomes in Mantle Cell Lymphoma in the Modern Immunochemotherapy Era

Presented by: Alessia Castellino, M.D. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center)
6 to 8 p.m.

The treatment landscape of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has significantly changed in the last decade. Improvement in diagnosis and understanding of disease biology has been coupled with emergence of new therapeutic options, including targeted agents. While MCL outcome data comes primarily from clinical trials, the impact of therapeutic advances on pattern of care and outcome in MCL in the general population is not well characterized. This study sought to characterize changes in pattern of care and outcomes of patients with MCL in a prospective observational series in the rituximab era.


Dec. 2 at 3:52 p.m. PST

Featured Mayo Clinic Presentations on Sunday Morning

Mutation-Enhanced International Prognostic Systems for Essential Thrombocythemia (MIPSS-ET) and Polycythemia Vera (MIPSS-PV)

Ayalew Tefferi, M.D., discusses his study with us before he gives his presentation at ASH tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m. in Grand Hall D (Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego).

Treatment Facility Volume and Outcomes in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Presented by: Jonas Paludo, M.D. | Room 24B (San Diego Convention Center)
7:45 a.m.

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare disease accounting for only 1 to 2% of all hematologic malignancies and with an overall annual, age-adjusted incidence of approximately 3.5 to 5.5 cases per million-person years. With approximately 13,000 active hematologist/oncologists in the U.S., most of whom are in the community oncology setting, it’s estimated that a hematologist/oncologist will only diagnose a WM case approximately every 8 years. Therefore, the clinical experience of a general hematologist/oncologist in the management of WM is likely very limited compared to more prevalent malignances. Previous studies in the setting of rare cancers suggest a correlation between higher volume of care and improved outcomes. Therefore, we explored the volume-outcome relationship in WM using the National Cancer Data Base.

Changes in Imaging Surveillance of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Survivors after Publication of the American Society of Hematology Choosing Wisely® Recommendations

Urshila Durani, M.D., discusses her study with us before she gives her presentation at ASH tomorrow morning at 8:15 a.m. in Room 11B (San Diego Convention Center).


Dec. 2 at 1:05 p.m. PST

Day 2 at ASH

It's another beautiful day in San Diego. We're excited to talk to you about the new and updated testing options we have available. Make sure to stop by our booth #2927 to learn more.


Dec. 2 at 9:27 a.m. PST

Ask our Experts

Mayo Clinic experts will be available for collegial discussions and to answer your questions throughout the ASH conference in booth #2927.

The following experts will be stopping by our booth today:

David Murray, M.D., Ph.D. – 11 a.m. to Noon

As Co-Director of the Mayo Protein Immunology Laboratory, Dr. Murray has developed a novel approach to the screening and monitoring of patients with monoclonal gammopathies. The new MALDI-TOF MS is a more sensitive and specific approach to testing and replaces traditional immunofixation and/or immunodiffusion (IFE) techniques, which have been in place for more than 45 years. This new technology also allows for the monitoring of patients for a longer period of time before progressing to a bone marrow sample.

Linda Baughn, Ph.D.  1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

As Co-Director of the Mayo Genomics Laboratory, Dr. Baughn works to advance diagnosis of hematopoietic malignancies and pre- and post-natal constitutional abnormalities with the use of clinical conventional cytogenetic techniques including G-banding analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), chromosome microarray, and next-generation sequencing-based methods, including mate-pair sequencing. Her current research aims to advance our understanding of hematopoietic malignancies, particularly multiple myeloma.

Dragan Jevremovic, M.D., Ph.D. – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

As Co-Director of the Mayo Cell inetics Laboratory, Dr. Jevremovic and his team have created highly specific and sensitive flow cytometry assays for multiple myeloma, platelet glycoproteins, and minimal residual disease detection for a number of disease states. In addition to specialized testing, this laboratory has created a novel approach to traditional large flow cytometry panels with a focus on utilization management to reduce the average number of markers required for patient testing.


Dec. 2 at 8:01 a.m. PST

Featured Mayo Clinic Presentations on Sunday

Phase 2 Trial of Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, Dexamethasone, and Daratumumab in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Presented by: Shaji Kumar, M.D. | Grand Ballroom 7 Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
8:15 a.m.

The combination of a proteasome inhibitor (PI), an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), and dexamethasone is the current standard induction therapy for myeloma. Daratumumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD38, is highly effective in treating myeloma and improves response rates and progression free survival (PFS) when added to PI or IMiD. Ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (IRd) is an effective, all oral, induction regimen that has been studied in phase 2 and 3 trials. We designed this trial to examine the feasibility and efficacy of adding daratumumab to the IRd regimen.

Apixaban, Dalteparin in Active Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism, the ADAM VTE Trial

Presented by: Robert McBane, M.D. | Room 33B San Diego Convention Center
4:30 p.m.

Currently, low molecular-weight heparin is the guideline endorsed treatment of patients with cancer associated venous thromboembolism (VTE). While apixaban is approved for the treatment of acute VTE, there are limited data supporting its use in cancer patients.


Dec. 1 at 1:27 p.m. PST

A Breakthrough in Monoclonal Antibody Screening and Monitoring

Mayo Clinic is on the forefront of patient-centered and value-based laboratory testing with a comprehensive offering of test profiles and an algorithmic approach to multiple myeloma testing. We have continued this commitment to patient care with the recent updates to our protein electrophoresis and monoclonal gammopathy test offerings as new mass spectrometry approaches have been developed to identify monoclonal proteins using high-resolution molecular mass measurements that achieve superior sensitivity compared to traditional methods. David Murray, M.D., Ph.D., discovered this new technique and has spearheaded the development of this new testing.

“I walked into the Protein Immunology Lab and thought, ‘They’re still running gel electrophoresis in this day and age?' says Dr. Murray. That’s an ancient technique. I spent a lot of time in a high-tech chemistry lab and know that mass spectrometry is much better. Most physicians don’t have that industry experience. I recognized a knowledge gap and saw that my talents could be used to develop a better test to help physicians and patients.”

To learn more about these new testing options, stop by our booth and talk to Dr. Murray today from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to noon or listen to his Test in Focus.


Dec. 1 at 10:50 a.m. PST

Day 1 at ASH 2018

The 60th annual American Society of Hematology Conference began this morning. The exhibit hall is open, and our team can't wait to start talking to each of you about your practice, challenges, and opportunities to collaborate.

We’re excited to premier a new booth and new name at this year’s ASH meeting. We’ve always been an integral part of the Mayo Clinic practice, and now, we are making it official!

The change to "Mayo Clinic Laboratories" will more accurately reflect the benefit we are able to bring to our clients every day, by letting them know that the expertise and teamwork of Mayo Clinic is behind each of our laboratory tests. We take pride in our ability to deliver more than just test results and be able to provide real answers for patients, their families, and physicians. Read more about our rebrand here.


Nov. 30 at 1:12 p.m. PST

Ask Our Experts

Mayo Clinic experts will be available for collegial discussions and to answer your questions throughout the ASH conference in booth #2927.

The following experts will be stopping by our booth on Saturday, December 1:

Jennifer Oliveira, M.D 11 a.m. to Noon

As a hematopathologist and Co-Director of the Mayo Metabolic Hematology Laboratory, Dr. Oliveira specializes in the diagnosis of patients with non-neoplastic red blood cell disorders. She and her team have created and championed algorithmic approaches to assist with accurate diagnosis of patients with these complex red blood cell disorders. Her laboratory team has also developed molecular-based testing for genotyping of hereditary erythrocytosis, hereditary hemolytic anemia, RBC membrane, and enzyme disorders.

Patricia Greipp, D.O.  1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

As Co-Director of the Mayo Genomics Laboratory and leader of the Malignant Hematology Section as well as Director of the Cytogenetics Core Laboratory, Dr. Greipp’s areas of expertise include B/T-ALL, COG case work, multiple myeloma, and CLL. She is a champion for effective test-utilization strategies that improve patient care. Her group has developed a comprehensive FISH testing menu with useful panel and profile options, such as the Ph-like B-ALL panel (launched last year), and the team works to algorithmically incorporate additional cytogenetic tools such as microarray and mate- pair sequencing in order to improve the delivery of diagnostic and prognostic information for patient-care decisions.

Dong Chen, M.D., Ph.D. – 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

As Chair of the Hematopathology Division at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Chen is a champion for effective test-utilization strategies that improve patient care. His areas of expertise include bleeding, thrombosing, and platelet disorders along with of a variety of hematologic disorders, including CML, MPN, leukemia, and lymphoma. His team works to incorporate algorithmic approaches for optimal delivery of diagnostic and prognostic information for patient-care decisions. Dr. Chen has also developed electron-microscopy testing to assess platelet ultra-structural abnormalities to diagnose a number of platelet disorders.

   

David Murray, M.D., Ph.D. – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

As Co-Director of the Mayo Protein Immunology Laboratory, Dr. Murray has developed a novel approach to the screening and monitoring of patients with monoclonal gammopathies. The new MALDI-TOF MS is a more sensitive and specific approach to testing and replaces traditional immunofixation and/or immunodiffusion (IFE) techniques, which have been in place for more than 45 years. This new technology also allows for the monitoring of patients for a longer period of time before progressing to a bone marrow sample.


Nov. 30 at 9:05 a.m. PST

Mayo Clinic Laboratories Pre-Conference Symposium

Our Satellite Symposium preceding the 60th ASH Annual Meeting, Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis of Red Blood Cell Disorders: A Case-Based Algorithmic Approach, began this morning. With a variety of presentations and discussion, the symposium is designed to update the practicing hematologists/oncologists and hematopathologists about the evolving repertoire of test options and appropriate testing strategies.

Participants had the opportunity to hear from our renowned faculty and enjoy the following presentations:

  • Algorithmic Approach to Hereditary Erythrocytosis Testing
  • General Approach to Hemolytic Anemia
  • Direct Antiglobulin Test-Negative Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
  • Hereditary Hemolytic Anemias
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies: Differential Diagnosis and Approach to Testing
Ronald Go, M.D., presents on hemolytic anemias.
Q&A session with Mayo Clinic experts (from left to right) Jennifer Oliveira, M.D.; James Hoyer, M.D.; Ronald Go, M.D.; Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D.; and Jeffrey Winters, M.D.
Jennifer Oliveira, M.D., speaks about hereditary hemolytic anemias.
A big thanks to this year's course faculty. From left to right, Jennifer Oliveira, M.D.; James Hoyer, M.D.; Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D.; Jeffrey Winters, M.D.; Ronald Go, M.D.; and Rajiv Pruthi, M.B.B.S.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

This post was authored by the Marketing Team at Mayo Clinic Laboratories.