During the annual congress of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), leading scientists from all over the world come together to present and discuss the latest research findings in the field of hematology. Participation is also pivotal for early career scientists to gain recognition and build an international collaborative network. At the recent ASH meeting, Vera de Jonge, a PhD student at the department of Hematology, was presented with an Abstract Achievement Award.

Every year, the American Society of Hematology organizes an enormous scientific conference involving about 25,000 visiting scientists from all over the world. The most recent ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition was held in in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Abstract Achievement Award
The ASH Abstract Achievement Awards are presented to early career scientists who have submitted a high scoring abstract. Vera explains: “My abstract was on the results of a clinical interim analysis of a phase II study on the effect of DA-EPOCH-R induction and nivolumab consolidation in patients with high-grade B cell lymphoma.” In this clinical trial, the immunotherapy drug nivolumab is given to patients that are responsive to induction treatment with a combination of immunochemotherapeutic medicines (DA-EPOCH-R).

Ongoing research
“In the abstract, we described that 61% of enrolled patients achieved complete metabolic remission on the induction therapy, as was expected,” says Vera. “The study is still ongoing, and so far, treatment with nivolumab has been well tolerated. The results on the effectiveness of nivolumab will follow later.” This clinical research is also referred to as the HOVON-152 trial and is performed under supervision of Dr. Martine Chamuleau.

For more information, contact Vera de Jonge

People involved at Cancer Center Amsterdam:
Vera de Jonge
Martine Chamuleau