EHA 2026, taking place June 11-14, at Stockholmsmässan in Stockholm, Sweden, with virtual access through the congress platform, is expected to deliver major clinical and translational updates across malignant and non-malignant hematology.
The congress will feature oral and poster abstract presentations, a plenary session, educational programs and expert discussions highlighting recent advances in hematologic research, therapeutics and clinical management.
This article highlights top phase II/III trials to watch at EHA 2026 across multiple myeloma, lymphoid and myeloid malignancies.
Talquetamab-Based Combinations Versus DPd in R/R Multiple Myeloma: Interim Results From the Phase 3 MonumenTAL-3 Trial
The abstract will be presented at the Plenary Session by first author Peter Voorhees from Atrium Health/Levine Cancer Institute.
Background Points
- Talquetamab is a GPRC5D×CD3 bispecific antibody that redirects T cells against malignant plasma cells while potentially preserving normal B-cell populations.
- Combining talquetamab with daratumumab and pomalidomide introduces complementary immune mechanisms, including T-cell redirection, CD38 targeting, and immunomodulatory enhancement of T-cell and NK-cell function.
MonumenTAL-3 represents one of the key late-phase studies evaluating whether bispecific antibody-based regimens can move into earlier lines of MM therapy and outperform established standards. Comparative safety data are particularly important given ongoing concerns regarding infections, immune toxicity and long-term tolerability.
Teclistamab ± Lenalidomide vs Lenalidomide Alone as Post-Transplant Maintenance in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Updated Safety Run-In Results From the Phase 3 EMN30/MajesTEC-4 Trial
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Niels W. C. J. van de Donk from Amsterdam University Medical Center.
Background Points
- Lenalidomide maintenance remains the standard post-ASCT approach in NDMM, though a substantial proportion of patients eventually relapse.
- Teclistamab is a BCMA×CD3 bispecific antibody that has demonstrated deep and durable responses in heavily pretreated RRMM.
EMN30/MajesTEC-4 evaluates whether adding teclistamab, alone or with lenalidomide, can improve post-transplant maintenance strategies. Follow-up remains important to assess durability and long-term feasibility in the maintenance setting.
CPX-351 Versus Standard of Care as Bridging to Allo-HCT in Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Neoplasms or Oligoblastic AML: Results From the Randomized Phase 2 PALOMA Trial
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Uwe Platzbecker from University Hospital Dresden.
Background Points
- Allogeneic HSCT remains the only potentially curative treatment option for patients with higher-risk MDS and oligoblastic AML.
- CPX-351, a liposomal formulation of daunorubicin and cytarabine, has shown clinical benefit in high-risk and secondary AML, but its role as pre-transplant therapy remains unclear.
The PALOMA trial addresses an important clinical question regarding the optimal bridging approach before allo-HCT in higher-risk MDS and oligoblastic AML and may help clarify whether CPX-351 offers advantages over conventional strategies in terms of disease control and post-transplant outcomes.
ASC4FIRST: A Phase 3 Trial of Asciminib Versus Investigator-Selected TKIs in Newly Diagnosed Chronic-Phase CML
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Timothy Hughes from South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.
Background Points
- Asciminib is a first-in-class STAMP inhibitor that selectively targets the ABL myristoyl pocket, offering a mechanistically distinct approach from conventional ATP-competitive TKIs.
- Early studies demonstrated promising efficacy and tolerability of asciminib in previously treated CML.
ASC4FIRST evaluates whether asciminib can improve efficacy and long-term tolerability compared with currently available frontline TKIs in newly diagnosed CP-CML. Durable molecular responses are particularly important because they influence eligibility for treatment-free remission strategies.
Results From EPCORE DLBCL-1: A Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Epcoritamab vs Investigator’s Choice Chemoimmunotherapy in R/R Large B-Cell Lymphoma
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Christopher P. Fox from University of Nottingham.
Background Points
- Epcoritamab is a subcutaneous CD3×CD20 bispecific antibody designed to redirect T cells against malignant B cells and has already demonstrated meaningful activity in heavily pretreated DLBCL.
- BsAbs are increasingly emerging class in aggressive B-cell lymphomas because of their off-the-shelf availability and ability to induce responses without individualized cell manufacturing.
This trial compares epcoritamab monotherapy with regimens such as R-GemOx or BR in R/R LBCL. Results are also relevant to ongoing discussions regarding sequencing among BsAbs, CAR-T, and traditional salvage regimens in LBCL.
Avelumab Followed by Standard Chemotherapy in Advanced Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: Final 3-Year Results From the Phase II AVENuE Trial
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Aisling Barrett from University of Oxford.
Background Points
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by marked dependence on the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, driven in part by chromosome 9p24.1 alterations and frequent overexpression of PD-L1 on Reed-Sternberg cells.
- Unlike PD-1 inhibitors, PD-L1 inhibition remains less extensively studied in frontline cHL, leaving questions regarding efficacy, sequencing and immune-related adverse events
The AVENuE study evaluates whether incorporation of PD-L1 blockade before standard chemotherapy can produce durable long-term outcomes in newly diagnosed advanced cHL. Long-term safety data remain important given the young age of many patients with cHL and the need to balance cure with late toxicity.
Replacement of Intensive Chemotherapy With Blinatumomab in High-Risk Pediatric B-ALL: Results From the Phase 3 AIEOP-BFM ALL 2017 Trial
The abstract will be presented at the Plenary Abstracts Session by first author Martin Schrappe from University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein.
Background Points
- Despite major advances in pediatric ALL, intensive chemotherapy remains associated with substantial infectious, organ-related, and treatment-associated toxicity, particularly in high-risk disease.
- Blinatumomab, a CD19×CD3 bispecific T-cell engager, has demonstrated strong activity in R/R and MRD-positive B-ALL
The study evaluates whether immunotherapy can safely replace highly intensive chemotherapy courses in newly diagnosed HR B-ALL while maintaining or improving frontline treatment efficacy.
Intensive Chemotherapy Combined With Quizartinib vs Midostaurin for FLT3-ITD-Mutated AML: A Multicenter Cohort Study Following the Phase 3 RATIFY and QuANTUM-First Trials
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Michelle Lee from Harvard Medical School.
Background Points
- FLT3-ITD mutations are among the most common molecular alterations in AML and are associated with increased relapse risk and poorer survival outcomes.
- Despite the availability of both FLT3 inhibitors in clinical practice, direct comparative data remain limited, leaving uncertainty regarding long-term outcomes.
The study addresses a clinically relevant real-world question regarding frontline FLT3 inhibitor selection in newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD–mutated AML and may help inform decisions beyond the setting of individual registration trials. The analysis is also relevant to broader discussions on tolerability and optimization of targeted therapy in molecularly defined AML subsets.
Fixed-Duration Pirtobrutinib and Obinutuzumab in Previously Untreated CLL: Interim Results From a Phase 2 Trial (NCT06333262)
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Inhye E. Ahn from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Background Points
- Pirtobrutinib is a highly selective non-covalent BTK inhibitor designed to maintain activity despite resistance mutations that can emerge with covalent BTK inhibitors.
- Combining pirtobrutinib with obinutuzumab explores whether durable disease control may be achievable through a chemotherapy-free and BCL2 inhibitor-free fixed-duration approach.
Early efficacy and safety data may help define the role of non-covalent BTK inhibitors earlier in the treatment course rather than primarily after BTK inhibitor resistance. The trial also reflects continued efforts to simplify time-limited CLL treatment strategies.
Surovatamig Plus Rituximab in Previously Untreated Follicular Lymphoma: Initial Safety Data From the Phase 3 SOUNDTRACK-F1 Trial
The abstract will be presented at the Oral Session by first author Chan Y. Cheah from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Background Points
- Despite its typically indolent presentation, follicular lymphoma remains a chronically relapsing malignancy, with ongoing long-term challenges.
- Surovatamig is a CD19×CD3 bispecific T-cell engager that has demonstrated high complete response rates and durable activity in heavily pretreated FL.
SOUNDTRACK-F1 explores whether bispecific antibody-based therapy can move into frontline FL treatment in combination with rituximab, potentially reducing reliance on conventional chemotherapy. Initial safety data are particularly important given the potential need for prolonged treatment exposure in FL.
