An Early Look at EHA 2026: 10 Key Studies Heading to Stockholm

The 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress arrives at a time when several of hematologic oncology’s most important treatment paradigms are being challenged—fixed-duration regimens are redefining expectations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), bispecific antibodies are moving into earlier stages of multiple myeloma, and a new generation of targeted therapies is attempting to overcome resistance in diseases ranging from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to myelofibrosis. Below, we’ve shortlisted some of the abstracts most likely to generate discussion this year in Stockholm.

CLL: The Next Wave of Treatments

LB5001: Fixed-duration pirtobrutinib plus venetoclax-rituximab vs venetoclax-rituximab for patients with previously treated CLL/SLL: A phase 3, randomized study (BRUIN CLL-322)

Pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca) received traditional FDA approval in December 2025 for adults with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) previously treated with a covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. BRUIN CLL-322 (NCT04965493) now asks whether adding pirtobrutinib to fixed-duration venetoclax (Venclexta) plus rituximab (Rituxan) improves outcomes in that same post-covalent BTK inhibitor population.

Positive results were toplined in April 2026, reporting that the triplet met its primary progression-free survival (PFS) end point by independent review with consistent benefit across subgroups.¹ EHA will be the first venue for granular efficacy and safety data, with a regulatory submission for label expansion planned for later this year.¹

S145: First-line treatment of CLL/SLL with the all-oral combination of sonrotoclax and zanubrutinib achieves undetectable minimal residual disease rates of >90%, including in patients with del(17p)/TP53

Sonrotoclax (Beqalzi) is a next-generation BCL2 inhibitor designed to be more potent and selective than venetoclax, and its all-oral pairing with zanubrutinib (Brukinsa) has shown encouraging early activity.

In the phase 1/1b BGB-11417-101 study (NCT04277637), the 320-mg sonrotoclax cohort achieved best undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) rates of 80% by cycle 15, with no disease progression at a median follow-up of 14.6 months.² The upcoming readout is expected to present updated data with extended follow-up, including further insights in the high-risk del(17p)/TP53 population.

S146: Venetoclax-obinutuzumab for previously untreated CLL: Final results of the randomized CLL14 study

An established standard of care in previously untreated CLL, fixed-duration venetoclax plus obinutuzumab (Gazyva) previously showed long-term efficacy and tolerability, including in patients with high-risk features, in the CLL14 study (NCT02242942). The final analysis arrives with all patients off treatment for 5 or more years.

Six-year data reported in 2023 previously demonstrated a median PFS of 76.2 months with the doublet vs 36.4 months with chlorambucil-obinutuzumab,³ but an overall survival (OS) difference had not yet emerged. The final readout at EHA should provide the long-awaited mature OS data and will help benchmark venetoclax-obinutuzumab against the next-generation combinations now entering phase 3.

S152: BGB-16673, a BTK degrader, in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL: A phase 1 CaDAnCe-101 study update

BGB-16673 is an investigational BTK degrader that tags the BTK protein for proteasomal destruction rather than simply inhibiting it—a strategy designed to overcome both wild-type and C481-mutant BTK resistance. The phase 1/2 CaDAnCe-101 trial (NCT05006716) is exploring this mechanism of action in patients with R/R CLL/SLL.

In data presented at last year’s American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, patients treated at the 200-mg dose saw benefit regardless of prior BTK and BCL2 inhibitor exposure, achieving an overall response rate (ORR) of 94.4%.⁴ The EHA 2026 update will extend follow-up and further characterize durability in this heavily pretreated population.

AML: Menin Inhibition Moves to the Frontline

S130: Ziftomenib combined with intensive induction (7+3) for newly diagnosed NPM1-M or KMT2A-R AML: Long-term results from the KOMET-007 trial

In November 2025, the FDA granted approval to ziftomenib (Komzifti), an oral menin inhibitor, for adults with R/R NPM1-mutant AML based on a complete remission (CR)/complete remission with partial hematological recovery (CRh) rate of 21.4% in the KOMET-001 trial (NCT04067336).

KOMET-007 (NCT05735184) has combined ziftomenib with intensive 7+3 induction therapy and shifted the agent into the frontline setting. Updated results as of a January 2026 data cutoff showed composite CR rates of 96% in NPM1-mutated AML and 90% in KMT2A-rearranged AML, with MRD negativity rates exceeding 80% in both cohorts.⁵ The long-term EHA readout will provide extended follow-up on durability, informing the design of the randomized phase 3 KOMET-017 trial (NCT07007312) now enrolling.

Myeloma: A Push Into Earlier Disease

S100: Phase 3, randomized study of talquetamab plus daratumumab ± pomalidomide vs daratumumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (DPd) in R/R multiple myeloma: MonumenTAL-3

Talquetamab (Talvey), a first-in-class GPRC5D×CD3 bispecific antibody, has demonstrated meaningful activity in heavily pretreated R/R multiple myeloma. The phase 3 MonumenTAL-3 trial (NCT05455320) compares talquetamab-containing combinations with daratumumab (Darzalex), pomalidomide, and dexamethasone in patients with R/R disease after prior therapy.⁶

Selected for the EHA plenary session, MonumenTAL-3 is expected to be among the meeting's most practice-relevant myeloma presentations. The study will provide the first phase 3 assessment of whether incorporating a GPRC5D-targeted bispecific antibody into earlier lines of treatment can improve outcomes compared with an established standard regimen and may help define the future role of T-cell–redirecting therapies in relapsed disease.

LB5008: Teclistamab improves depth of response and PFS vs lenalidomide-dexamethasone in high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma: Results from the phase 2 Immuno-PRISM trial

Teclistamab (Tecvayli), the first BCMA×CD3 bispecific T-cell engager approved for multiple myeloma, received FDA accelerated approval in October 2022 for adults with R/R multiple myeloma after at least 4 prior lines of therapy. Immuno-PRISM (NCT05469893) is now testing the agent in high-risk smoldering myeloma, a premalignant state with a high risk of progression to active multiple myeloma.

Early data showed a 100% ORR with no dose-limiting toxicities and a more favorable safety profile compared with the R/R setting.⁷ Forthcoming data are expected to detail updated MRD outcomes and PFS from the ongoing randomized comparison with lenalidomide (Revlimid) plus dexamethasone.

MPNs: Beyond the JAK Era

LB5002: Selinexor plus ruxolitinib in JAK inhibitor–naive myelofibrosis: Phase 3 SENTRY trial

Selinexor (Xpovio), an oral XPO1 inhibitor already approved in multiple myeloma, is being repositioned as a ruxolitinib (Jakafi) add-on in frontline myelofibrosis through the phase 3 SENTRY trial (NCT04562389). Topline results reported in March 2026 showed the combination met the spleen volume reduction ≥35% co-primary end point at week 24, though the total symptom score end point was not met.⁸ An OS trend favoring the selinexor arm was observed (HR, 0.43), with separation of Kaplan-Meier curves around month 9. Data were immature, making the full EHA presentation a closely watched moment for a field still seeking a combination that improves upon ruxolitinib monotherapy.

S218: Results of AJX-101, a phase 1 clinical trial of the type II JAK2 inhibitor AJ1-11095, in patients with myelofibrosis who have failed a type I JAK2 inhibitor

Despite the availability of multiple JAK inhibitors, outcomes remain poor for patients with myelofibrosis whose disease progresses on or after treatment with a type I JAK inhibitor. AJX-101 (NCT06343805) is investigating AJ1-11095, a novel type II JAK2 inhibitor designed to bind the inactive conformation of JAK2.⁹ This mechanistic approach aims to help overcome limitations associated with currently available agents.

S219: Early vs delayed initiation of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in high-risk essential thrombocythemia: Two-year results from the phase 3 SURPASS-ET study

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Besremi) is already approved for polycythemia vera and is now under FDA review for essential thrombocythemia (ET). The phase 3 SURPASS-ET study (NCT04285086) randomized patients with hydroxyurea-resistant or -intolerant high-risk ET to ropeginterferon or anagrelide (Agrylin), and published results in The Lancet Haematology showed superior hematologic responses and fewer thromboembolic events with ropeginterferon.¹⁰ The 2-year EHA analysis specifically examines timing of initiation, arriving just 2 months before the PDUFA date on August 30, 2026.

REFERENCES

1. Lilly's Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) significantly extended progression-free survival when added to a venetoclax time-limited regimen in patients with previously treated CLL/SLL. News release. Eli Lilly and Company. April 13, 2026. Accessed June 4, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/revsb3cv

2. Soumerai J, Opat S, Cheah C, et al. Zanubrutinib + obinutuzumab + sonrotoclax in patients with treatment-naive chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (TN CLL/SLL): Initial results from an ongoing phase 1/1b study, BGB-11417-101. Blood. 2025;146(Supplement 1):3890-3890. doi:10.1182/blood-2025-3890

3. Al-Sawaf O, Robrecht S, Zhang C, et al. S145: Venetoclax-obinutuzumab for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia: 6-year results of the randomized CLL14 study. Hemasphere. 2023;7(Suppl ):e064430a. Published 2023 Aug 8. doi:10.1097/01.HS9.0000967492.06443.0a

4. Ahn I, Parrondo R, Thompson M, et al. Updated efficacy and safety results of the bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) degrader BGB-16673 in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) from the ongoing phase 1 CaDAnCe-101 study. Blood. 2025;146(suppl 1):85. doi:10.1182/blood-2025-85

5. Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin to Present Updated Frontline Ziftomenib / 7+3 Combination Data at EHA 2026 Congress. News release. Kura Oncology. May 12, 2026. Accessed June 4, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/48zvrn9k

6. A Study Comparing Talquetamab in Combination With Daratumumab or in Combination With Daratumumab and Pomalidomide Versus Daratumumab in Combination With Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Participants With Multiple Myeloma That Returns After Treatment or is Resistant to Treatment (MonumenTAL-3). ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated April 13, 2026. Accessed June 4, 2026. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05455320

7. Nadeem O, Magidson S, MidhaS, et al. Immuno-PRISM: A randomized phase II platform study of bispecific antibodies in high-risk smoldering myeloma. Blood. 2023;142(Suppl 1): 206. doi:10.1182/blood-2023-177954

8. Karyopharm's Phase 3 SENTRY Trial in Myelofibrosis Met First Co-Primary Endpoint, Demonstrating Statistically Significant Improvement in Spleen Volume Reduction. News release. March 24, 2026. Accessed June 4, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/mry96wp8

9. A phase 1 study of AJ1-11095 in patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (PPV-MF), or post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (PET-MF) who have been failed by a type I JAK2 inhibitor (JAK2i). ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated May 12, 2026. Accessed June 4, 2026. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06343805

10. Mesa R, Gill H, Zhang L, et al. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b in hydroxyurea-intolerant or hydroxyurea-refractory essential thrombocythaemia (SURPASS ET): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, active-controlled, phase 3 study. Lancet Haematol. 2025;12(11):e862-e875. doi:10.1016/s2352-3026(25)00264-9