Lecture Abstracts | HKSH ASM 2026

Dr. Laurie SEHN

Clinical Professor,

BC Cancer Centre for Lymphoid Cancer and University of British Columbia,

Canada

Raising the Bar for Relapsed / Refractory Follicular Lymphoma: How Can We Go Further?

Despite effective first-line regimens, many patients with follicular lymphoma eventually relapse, and outcomes are particularly poor for those with early treatment failure or refractory disease. In recent years, treatment options for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma have expanded to include bispecific antibodies, CAR T-cell therapy, and other novel agents that can induce deep and durable remissions in patients who have exhausted conventional therapies.

This lecture will explore evolving strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and review pivotal clinical trial data ofemerging combination approaches that seek to deepen responses and extend remission duration. Real-world considerations—including trial eligibility versus everyday practice, access, logistics, and shared decision-making—will be emphasized to help physicians individualize treatment plans and improve long-term outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.

Dr. Laurie SEHN

Clinical Professor,

BC Cancer Centre for Lymphoid Cancer and University of British Columbia,

Canada

Raising the Bar for Relapsed / Refractory Follicular Lymphoma:

How Can We Go Further?

Despite effective first-line regimens, many patients with follicular lymphoma eventually relapse, and outcomes are particularly poor for those with early treatment failure or refractory disease. In recent years, treatment options for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma have expanded to include bispecific antibodies, CAR T-cell therapy, and other novel agents that can induce deep and durable remissions in patients who have exhausted conventional therapies.

This lecture will explore evolving strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and review pivotal clinical trial data ofemerging combination approaches that seek to deepen responses and extend remission duration. Real-world considerations—including trial eligibility versus everyday practice, access, logistics, and shared decision-making—will be emphasized to help physicians individualize treatment plans and improve long-term outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.

Prof. Niels VAN DE DONK

Professor in Hematology,

Amsterdam University Medical Center,

The Netherlands

Sequencing Myeloma Therapy Across the Continuum: 2nd Line to Late Line Perspectives

While the armamentaria for multiple myeloma treatment continues to expand, optimizing treatment sequencing to maximize patient survival remains a key challenge. This session will explore practical approaches to tailoring therapy from second-line through advanced relapse stages, with a focus on the unique considerations that influence decision‑making.

The lecture will start by discussing how treatment‑related and patient‑related factors—including prior drug exposure, refractoriness to lenalidomide, comorbidities, disease biology, and access constraints—impact the choice of therapy at first relapse. Special emphasis will be placed on strategies for managing lenalidomide‑refractory patients when access to novel agents is limited.

The discussion will then transition to later‑line settings, highlighting real‑world clinical experience in the use of T‑cell redirecting therapies—such as bispecific antibodies and CAR‑T cells—particularly in cases of aggressive or high‑risk relapse.

Attendees would gain practical insights into balancing evidence-based best practices with on‑the‑ground realities, enabling them to make informed, context‑specific sequencing decisions across the myeloma treatment continuum.

Dr. Mathew CHEUNG Tsz Long

Associate Consultant,

United Christian Hospital

Phenotypic and Genotypic Features of von Willebrand Disease in Hong Kong

Background: While the molecular pathogenesis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is well-studied, the genetic landscape of VWD in the Hong Kong population is less clear.

Methods: 71 patients from 64 families were enrolled. A multitude of VWF assays were performed. While whole exome sequencing was performed for the newly recruited patients, previous genetic data generated by targeted NGS gene panels or Sanger sequencing were also included for analysis.

Results: Majority of the patients had either type 1 VWD / low VWF (41%), or type 2 VWD (52%). 45 VWF variants, including seven novel variants, were detected in 41 patients. Three novel variants, namely VWF p.C1165Y, p.L1384P and p.A1461T, were classified as likely pathogenic for type 2 VWD. Type 2 VWD showed good genotype-phenotype correlation, but the correlation in type 1 VWD was less clear. Negative VWF genotyping results provided diagnostic clues to alternative diagnoses including haemophilia A and acquired von Willebrand syndrome. Some issues regarding the phenotypic and genotypic diagnosis of VWD were observed.

Conclusion: The phenotypes of the Hong Kong patients with novel variants may provide insights into the complex pathogenesis of VWD. Moreover, the role of genetic tests in enabling correct diagnosis in a simplified manner is highlighted.