Despite increasing access to stem cell donors, significant disparities remain in who receives potentially life-saving transplants, according to discussions at the opening of the 2026 Tandem Meetings | Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR in Salt Lake City. The meetings, a premier event in the field of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy, brought together researchers and clinicians to share the latest advancements in treating blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
Dr. Albert C. Yeh, physician and research associate of translational science and therapeutics at Fred Hutch Cancer Center and acting assistant professor at University of Washington School of Medicine, highlighted a central theme emerging from the conference: while the number of available donors is growing, equitable access to transplantation remains a critical challenge. “In general, there’s an increase in the use of transplants because of the availability of donors, but at the same time we still lag behind in terms of, ‘How do we get equal access to everyone?’” he stated.
The Tandem Meetings serve as a crucial platform for disseminating updates on HCT and cellular therapy, including gene therapy. Attendees gain access to the latest scientific findings, new technologies, and innovative products in these rapidly evolving fields. This year’s discussions encompassed a broad range of topics, from advancements in managing MDS and leukemia to the latest developments in CAR T-cell therapies and other novel approaches.
Recent research presented at the meeting, analyzing trends in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) among patients with MDS or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), revealed that patients undergoing this procedure are often older and present with poorer overall health. Data from the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation (SBTMO) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) registry indicated that MDS/MPN independently predicted worse overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival outcomes. This underscores the importance of carefully assessing patient fitness and risk factors before proceeding with allo-HCT.
Beyond donor availability, the joint plenary session of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), CIBMTR, and the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) focused on the broader challenges and opportunities within the cell therapy landscape. The session, titled “From Breakthrough to Bedside: Navigating the Surging Transplant and Cell Therapy Landscape,” examined the changing topography of cell and gene therapies, noting an overall decrease in the use of HCTs alongside an increase in CAR T-cell therapies. However, allogeneic HCT continues to be utilized, particularly with the expansion of alternative donor platforms and the use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide and mismatched unrelated donor transplants.
Another key presentation detailed the results of a phase 1 trial (NCT05507827) assessing Orca-T, an investigational allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy, for patients with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This represents one example of the innovative therapies being explored to improve outcomes for patients with challenging blood cancers.
The increasing complexity of treatment options and the need for specialized care delivery systems were also prominent themes at the conference. As Jeffery J. Auletta, MD, professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and chief scientific director of CIBMTR, noted, the field is rapidly evolving, requiring ongoing adaptation and collaboration to ensure patients receive the most effective and accessible care.
The Tandem Meetings highlight the ongoing progress in HCT and cellular therapy, but also serve as a critical reminder of the persistent challenges in ensuring equitable access to these potentially curative treatments. Addressing these disparities will require continued research, innovation, and a commitment to improving care delivery systems for all patients in need of transplantation.
