Given the complexity and ever-changing nature of blood diseases like multiple myeloma, leukemia and lymphoma, hematology remains at the forefront of medical advancements, with breakthrough research not only improving patient care but also opening the door to potential cures for certain cancers.

These cutting-edge findings and the synergistic efforts between disciplines in international cancer care, treatment, and management were the focus of the second LAU Hematology Conference held by the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine on March 26 at the LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital.

This annual event, organized by the school of medicine’s Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME), aims to provide a platform for healthcare professionals, specialists and emerging hematologists to bring to bear global advancements in hematology and oncology research and treatment of patients in Lebanon.

“Today, we celebrate and recognize our patients who face challenging diseases, the significant progress in science, the essential collaboration between our oncology team, the hospital, and pharmaceutical partners, and the friendship and collegiality that fuel our division’s progress,” said conference director, Dr. Hady Ghanem, clinical associate professor and head of the Hematology-Oncology division at the school of medicine.

“All these elements are central to advancing our work and building a supportive, collaborative environment,” he added.

Continuing the tradition from last year, the conference featured invited keynote speaker, Dr. Elias Jabbour, professor of medicine in the Department of Leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Jabbour began his first session, The Exciting Journey of CLL from Bench to Bedside, declaring that Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is now better controlled and potentially curable through current therapeutic advances. He explained that recent clinical trials have demonstrated that newer, targeted treatments are more effective than traditional chemotherapy in both controlling the disease and improving survival, which has reduced chemotherapy’s role in CLL management.

He also addressed advancements in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with a particular focus on adulthood ALL, and facilitated interactive case discussions on ALL patients, tailoring the conversation to address the unique challenges faced by Lebanese patients and healthcare providers.

The conference included a dedicated segment on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), led by Dr. Christina Khater, clinical assistant professor and program director of the Fellowship in Hematology-Oncology at the school of medicine.

Dr. Khater reviewed the different types of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)—medications that block enzymes driving cancer cell growth—used in both frontline and subsequent treatments, along with the newest guidelines defining criteria for safely discontinuing them, a concept that is now being applied as most CML patients are enjoying a near-normal life expectancy.

“We need to establish the treatment goal upfront—whether it’s prolonging survival, ensuring cost efficiency, or achieving treatment-free remission—and this decision should be a shared one between the clinician and the patient,” she said.

Bringing in her insights on fungal infections that affect a large number of patients undergoing chemotherapy, Dr. Rima Moghnieh, a clinical professor and head of the infectious diseases division at the school of medicine, reviewed the current epidemiology of invasive fungal infections in cancer patients, resistance trends, and present and future diagnostic options. She also touched on antifungal treatment approaches, precision medicine in antifungal therapy, and adjunctive strategies.

“Infectious diseases are at the core of oncology, where cancer treatments severely impact the immune system, and our goal as healthcare professionals is to collaborate in treating immunocompromised patients,” said Dr. Moghnieh.

Expanding on this spirit of teamwork, Clinical Dietitian at the LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital Sandra Akiki, along with registered nurse and Clinical Coordinator of the Hematology Oncology division Dina Motran, explored the role of nutritional support in hematologic cancer care. They stressed how a multidisciplinary approach, reinforced by systematic and protocol-driven nutritional assessments, is essential to managing malnutrition effectively—a common challenge for individuals with hematologic malignancies.

Several national and international experts in hematology-oncology also presented and moderated various sessions during the conference. Among them were Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the American University of Beirut Nour Moukalled, Assistant Professor at Saint Joseph University Hampig Raphael Kourie, and Chief of the Section of Myelodysplastic Syndromes at MD Anderson Cancer Center Guillermo Garcia Manero.

“Lifelong learning is key to upskilling healthcare providers,” said Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development Vanda Abi Raad. “As treatments and best practices are continuously evolving, there is no end to the knowledge a physician should acquire to provide safer, cutting-edge and effective patient care.”

Dr. Ghanem thanked the organizing committee, with the promise that this yearly activity will continue to bring experts together, in line with the vision of the Division of Hematology Oncology at LAU. He also underscored the commitment to follow the cutting-edge advances in the field, while promoting collaboration and multidisciplinary discussions to ultimately “serve our cancer patients in this continuously evolving scientific landscape.”