European Hematology Association Congress 2026, taking place June 11-14 at Stockholmsmässan in Stockholm, with virtual access through the congress platform, is expected to showcase major advances across malignant and non-malignant hematology.
While late-phase studies often influence current standards of care, early-phase and translational trials highlight the scientific innovation and biologic insight driving the next generation of advances. This article highlights the top early-phase trials to watch at EHA 2026 across hematologic oncology.
CB-011 Allogeneic Anti-BCMA CAR-T Therapy in R/R Multiple Myeloma: The Phase 1 CaMMouflage Trial
The abstract will be presented at the oral session by first author Binod Dhakal, from Medical College of Wisconsin.
Background Points
- The platform incorporates four genome edits, including CAR insertion, TRAC knockout to reduce GVHD risk, B2M knockout to limit T-cell-mediated rejection and B2M-HLA-E fusion insertion designed to reduce NK cell-mediated clearance.
- Allogeneic CAR-T approaches reflect ongoing efforts to develop “off-the-shelf” cellular therapies with improved availability and scalability.
This trial is evaluating the safety, efficacy and recommended phase 2 dose of CB-011 in patients with R/R Multiple Myeloma, while exploring immune cloaking as a next-generation CAR-T engineering strategy.
Ziftomenib Combined With Intensive Induction (7+3) for Newly Diagnosed NPM1-Mutated or KMT2A-Rearranged AML: Results From the Phase 1 KOMET-007 Trial
The abstract will be presented at the oral session by first author Amer M. Zeidan, from Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center and Yale University.
Background Points
- NPM1-mutated and KMT2A-rearranged AML are highly dependent on menin-mediated transcriptional programs that sustain leukemogenesis
- Ziftomenib is a selective oral menin inhibitor that has already demonstrated meaningful activity in R/R NPM1-mutated AML, including achievement of molecular remissions.
KOMET-007 is one of the key trials evaluating whether menin inhibition can be integrated earlier into AML treatment, particularly in combination with intensive induction chemotherapy. Long-term follow-up may further support a molecularly stratified treatment approach in AML.
BGB-16673 in Relapsed/Refractory CLL/SLL: Updated Results From the Phase 1 CaDAnCe-101 Trial
The abstract will be presented at the oral session by first author Stephan Stilgenbauer, from Ulm University.
Background Points
- BGB-16673 is a novel BTK degrader designed to eliminate BTK through proteasome-mediated degradation rather than conventional enzymatic inhibition.
- The agent may overcome resistance mechanisms associated with BTK mutations and persistent B-cell receptor signaling.
The ongoing open-label CaDAnCe-101 trial is evaluating BGB-16673 monotherapy in patients with R/R B-cell malignancies, including CLL/SLL.
ENABLE: Updated Results From the Phase 1 Trial of ELVN-001, a Novel Inhibitor of BCR::ABL1, in Previously Treated CP-CML
The abstract will be presented at the oral session by first author Dennis Kim, from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
Background Points
- ELVN-001 is a selective ATP-competitive BCR::ABL1 inhibitor designed to retain activity against a broad range of resistance mutations.
- ELVN-001 was developed with a pharmacokinetic profile supporting once-daily dosing, reduced food restrictions and potentially fewer drug-drug interactions.
The ENABLE trial is evaluating whether ELVN-001 can maintain anti-leukemic activity while improving tolerability and treatment flexibility in previously treated CP-CML. Activity in T315I-mutated and asciminib-resistant disease would be particularly relevant given the growing complexity of sequencing later-line CML therapies.
Golcadomide Plus Pola-RCHP in Newly Diagnosed Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma: Results From a Phase Ib Trial (CC-220-DLBCL-001)
The abstract will be presented at the oral session by first author Maria Bouzani, from Evaggelismos General Hospital.
Background Points
- CELMoDs represent a class of cereblon-targeting immunomodulatory agents with enhanced degradation of Ikaros and Aiolos, resulting in broader immunologic and direct antitumor effects compared with earlier IMiDs.
- Golcadomide is being explored beyond plasma-cell disorders, reflecting growing interest in extending CELMoD biology into aggressive lymphomas.
This study evaluates whether incorporation of an oral CELMoD can further improve frontline outcomes in aggressive B-cell lymphoma without substantially compromising tolerability. Follow-up efficacy data are particularly relevant in aggressive lymphoma, where early relapse strongly influences long-term outcomes.
INCA033989, a Mutant CALR-Specific Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients With Myelofibrosis: Results From the Phase 1 INCA033989-101 and INCA033989-102 Trials
The abstract will be presented at the oral session by first author Claire Harrison, from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Background Points
- Myelofibrosis is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, anemia and constitutional symptoms, with CALR mutations present in approximately 25-35% of patients.
- INCA033989 selectively targets mutCALR-driven signaling through interaction with the thrombopoietin receptor complex.
Direct targeting of mutant CALR represents a biologically distinct approach aimed at interfering with a key disease-driving mechanism. The INCA033989-101 and -102 are evaluating this approach both as monotherapy and in combination with ruxolitinib.
First-in-Human Alpaca-Derived Nanobody-Based Bispecific Epitope CD5 CAR-T Cells in R/R T-ALL: Phase 1/2 Trial
The abstract will be presented at the oral session by first author Jing Pan, from Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College.
Background Points
- Previous humanized CD5 CAR-T approaches demonstrated high remission activity but were associated with delayed CAR-T expansion.
- Investigators developed a novel alpaca-derived nanobody-based bispecific epitope CD5 CAR (NbCD5 CAR) designed to accelerate CAR-T functionality and expansion kinetics.
CAR-T development in T-cell malignancies remains particularly challenging because of fratricide and shared antigen expression. The study explores a first-in-human nanobody-based CD5 CAR-T approach for R/R T-ALL