Christopher Flowers, MD

Commenting on this presentation, session moderator Christopher Flowers, MD, Chair of the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, said: “The treatment of adolescent and young adult patients with lymphoma remains a considerable challenge. The 2020 AACR Virtual Meeting: Advances in Malignant Lymphoma provided two distinct sessions addressing the key concerns for these populations. Dr. Keegan’s outstanding presentation summarized the disparities that have been identified for these populations. They include disparities in access to care based on race, insurance status, socioeconomic status, disparities in follow-up, and assessment of comorbid conditions and late effects.”

“Paradoxically, among the new issues raised for AYAs with lymphoma are the high response rates and remission rates associated with modern therapies for the types of lymphomas that commonly occur in this population,” Dr. Flowers continued. “This typically means the plans for follow-up care and management of potential late effects need to extend 40 to 70 years beyond diagnosis to be effective. The issues have not been well addressed in the general management for AYAs with cancer and are compounded by the disparities eloquently addressed by Dr. Keegan.” 

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Flowers has served as a consultant or advisor to AbbVie, Bayer, BeiGene, Celgene, Denovo Biopharma, Genentech/Roche, Gilead Sciences, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Pharmacyclics/Janssen, and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals and has received institutional research funding from AbbVie, Acerta Pharma, Celgene, Genentech/Roche, Gilead Sciences, Janssen Oncology, Millennium, Pharmacyclics, and TG Therapeutics.