Dr Cortes on the Evolving Treatment Paradigm for Leukemia and Lymphoma

“The advances we’ve seen in recent years have been incredible. We are living in a fantastic era for the research and for the progress in outcomes for [patients with hematologic cancers.]”

Jorge Cortes, MD, director of the Augusta University Georgia Cancer Center, discussed the evolving paradigm for the treatment of patients with leukemia and lymphoma, emphasizing both the advances achieved across hematologic malignancies and the challenges that remain in ensuring equitable access to novel therapies.

Interventions in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) illustrate how research progress has reshaped patient outcomes, Cortes began. Additionally, similar strides are occurring in the fields of multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), he explained. The integration of targeted therapies, cellular approaches, and immunotherapies has broadened the treatment armamentarium, contributing to durable responses and improved survival, he noted. Despite these gains, Cortes cautioned that mortality rates remain unacceptably high across these diseases, underscoring the continued need for innovation and refinement of therapeutic strategies.

According to Cortes, future progress will depend on scientific discovery and ensuring access to these treatment advances. Many of the most effective therapies, such as CAR T-cell therapy and other immune-based strategies, remain limited to select patients based on factors like cost, infrastructure requirements, and regional availability, he stressed. Without addressing these systemic barriers, the benefits of innovation risk being unevenly distributed, he reported. Cortes emphasized the importance of enrolling more representative patient populations in clinical trials and implementing strategies to make therapies more widely available.

Looking ahead, Cortes stated that the field must sustain momentum in therapeutic development adn simultaneously prioritize equity of care. By coupling innovation in CML, myeloma, CLL, and AML with policies and initiatives that expand access, oncology can move closer to reducing mortality and improving outcomes for patients globally, he said. This dual commitment to advancing science and ensuring treatment accessibility will be critical in defining the next stage of progress in leukemia and lymphoma care, he concluded.