To continue our coverage of #ASH21, here we’ve included insights from day two, which featured the following significant research findings:

• Multiple Myeloma treatment: Findings confirmed that the addition of isatuximab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, to the standard triplet regimen lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone resulted in significantly greater minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. 
• Treatment of relapsed/refractory childhood leukemias: Isatuximab demonstrated a complete response with incomplete peripheral recovery in a poor prognostic relapsed population of children with relapsed/refractory T-ALL, B-ALL, and AML. 
• Treatment of patients newly diagnosed with mIDH1 AML: The combination of ivosidenib and azacitidine significantly improved event-free survival, overall survival, and clinical response compared to placebo + azacitidine in patients ineligible for induction chemotherapy.

New data was also released on key topics, such as:

• Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Data presented by Elsa Bernard showed that when the IPSS-M risk score was applied, it improved discrimination of the risk category compared to the IPSS-R score. Almost half of MDS patients in the study were re-stratified. The updated International Prognosis Scoring System (IPSS), IPSS-M, considers clinical, cytogenetic, and genetic parameters. 
• New clinical practice guidelines for acute myeloid leukemia, venous thromboembolism, sickle cell disease (SCD), and von Willebrand disease: Note: Two days after the release of the SCD clinical guidelines on January 12, 2021, Dr. Robert Sidonio and Dr. David Lillicrap presented on VWD diagnosis and management at OMedLive.com.

Expanding on the new track on diversity, health, and equity, ASH hosted a symposium on “Identifying and Eliminating Inequity in the Provision of Healthcare.” 

• Dr. Jacquelyn Powers discussed the sixth dimension of healthcare quality established by a pivotal 2001 IOM report, Crossing the Quality Chasm. 

Dr. Maureen Okam Achebe, co-author of the paper “When Non-Whiteness Becomes a Condition,” further defined health inequality vs. inequity, noting that achievement of health equity relies on policies and practices that ensure access to care. The importance of social determinants of health is evident in its inclusion in Healthy People 2030. This focus can lead to sustained improvement in health outcomes. Social determinants of equity are societal norms that value social justice. Addressing these determinants can help combat health disparities.