In this episode, Anthony and Bernie are joined by the great Dr. Bixby to discuss the difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of acute leukemias of mixed or ambiguous lineage (ALAL/MPAL).

We discuss:

- Diagnostic uncertainties and how the criteria for diagnosis have changed over the years

- Data behind the optimal treatment of MPAL and uncertainties in the literature

- Promising data for the FLAG-VIPR hybrid regimen and other novel treatment strategies

In this episode, Bernie and Anthony are joined by Myeloma Man Manni Mohyuddin, MD to discuss the debate surrounding the treatment of first relapse in multiple myeloma. Should we be using CAR-T? Bispecifics? How does the new mezigdomide data from ASCO 2026 inform our practice? Listen in for a spicy discussion!

Articles discussed:

• Nature Reviews Commentary: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41571-026-01159-6
• CARTITUDE-4: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41571-026-01159-6
• MajesTEC-3: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2514663

• MajesTEC-9: https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMoa2603870
• Control arms in multiple myeloma trials: https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/doi/10.1182/bloodadvances.2026020329/567836/Improving-Control-Arms-in-2026-U-S-Myeloma-Trials
• Predictors for CAR T cell therapy-associated immune-related adverse events? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41540109/
• Dex prophylaxis for lymphocytosis: https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/10/10/3629/567462/Dexamethasone-prophylaxis-for-excessive-lymphocyte
• Mezi-KD vs. KD ASCO 2026: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2026.44.17_suppl.LBA7506

“However much we flatter ourselves about our individual rationality, a good story, no matter how analytically deficient, lingers in the mind, resonates emotionally, and persuades more than the most dispositive facts or data.”

Inspired by the article "The impact of cult behavior on haematopoietic cell transplant practices: believers and non-believers" (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41409-021-01473-w), in this episode, Anthony and Bernie are joined by transplant experts Tate Feeney, PharmD, BCOP and Aaron "Papa heme" Goodman, MD, to discuss "cult-like thinking" in hematology and BMT. We discuss why this occurs, go through some provocative examples, and talk about how to identify bias or ”cult-like thinking” in our own practices!

Grab your favorite drink and prepare to join the wolverheme cult!

In this special video episode, Bernie and Anthony moderate a Common Sense Oncology discussion of key trials from ASH 2025! We are joined by special guest experts from across the globe to critically appraise the abstracts and discuss how they may or may not have changed clinical practice:

• Dr. Eddie Cliff (Australia) - Lymphoma
• Dr. Roberta Demichelis (Mexico) - Leukemia
• Dr. Manni Mohyuddin (USA) - Myeloma

Join the Common Sense Oncology movement here! https://commonsenseoncology.org/get-involved/

In this episode, Anthony and Bernie are joined by a panel of experts to discuss (and debate) everyone's favorite (or most feared) hematology topic - hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)!

Joining us on this spicy episode are:

- Justin Kaner, MD

- Madeleine Ochs, PharmD, BCOP

- Catherine Johnson, PharmD, BCOP

How should we manage these patients? H-Scores or HLH2004 criteria? What is the role for ruxolitinib? Emapalumab? CXCL9 levels? Grab your favorite drink and have a listen!

Anthony and Bernie are joined by special guest Jonathan Gluck, award-winning journalist and author of "An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope" for a powerful conversation about living through uncertainty.

Drawing on his decades-long journey with multiple myeloma, Jon reflects on the emotional, clinical, and existential uncertainties that shape living with cancer. The discussion moves beyond the patient experience to explore how uncertainty permeates everyday life, as well as oncology practice, including waiting for new therapies to become available, navigating logistical (and insurance) barriers, and interpreting evolving clinical trial data where the answers are not always clear.

Jon is graciously donating a portion of the proceeds of the book to multiple myeloma research, so everyone who picks up a copy is donating to a good cause!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760582/an-exercise-in-uncertainty-by-jonathan-gluck/

In this episode, Anthony and Bernie are joined by special guest, Dr. Justin Kaner from Weill Cornell Medicine, to discuss some of the most interesting ASH abstracts in leukemia in 2025! What abstracts should change practice? Listen to find out.

Some of the abstracts discussed:

• PARADIGM: https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/296881
• KMT2A Outcomes (MARROW Consortium and Othman, et al.): https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/302582 and https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/297333
• CLIA +/- Ven: https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/302047
• FLT3i studies (and MRD): https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/295719 and https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/302699 and https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/291322
• ALL GIMEMA Trial (blin + ponatinib): https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/296532
• Menin inhibitor data

Anthony and Bernie discuss the PARADIGM study that was presented at the plenary session of ASH 2025 and whether results should change our practice.

https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/296881