Luisa Campos, Global Heme Lead, Medical & Scientific Affairs at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Cancer care has changed substantially in the past few years, and molecular diagnostics have been central to that shift. However, 

, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), multiple myeloma, and certain lymphomas, remain challenging to manage.

In rapidly progressing blood cancers, treatment decisions often need to be made within days, and genomic data is most valuable when biomarker results are available early enough to inform the initial treatment plan. The challenge in precision oncology is delivering actionable molecular insights to clinicians quickly enough. Rapid, reliable diagnostic tools are essential to ensure the right information is available precisely when it matters most for patient care.

Molecular characterization with precision diagnostics

Hematologic malignancies frequently demonstrate complex clonal architectures, with co-occurring mutations that can influence disease behavior, including treatment response. This means 2 patients with the same diagnosis may end up needing different treatment plans.

Comprehensive, multi-gene testing with sensitive next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels allows simultaneous detection of clinically relevant variants in a single assay. When designed appropriately, targeted panels balance breadth and depth, capturing key alterations while maintaining analytical sensitivity for low variant allele frequency (VAF) events. The utility of such testing is highly dependent on timing.

Establishing clinical value with a rapid turnaround time

2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations

 emphasize that molecular results identifying therapeutically actionable targets should be available as quickly as possible—ideally within 3–5 days—to inform initial treatment strategy.

Rapid NGS can meaningfully reduce the turnaround time to actionable results while providing broad molecular profiling, helping clinicians align patients with therapies targeted to their specific alterations. For instance, early identification of 

 mutations can support timely consideration of approved target therapies in the appropriate setting or match patients to an optimal clinical trial. Rapid-NGS panels complement other established core diagnostics, such as cytogenetics and flow cytometry, by capturing additional molecular alterations that are not detectable by these tests.

Similar considerations can apply across other hematologic malignancies, where molecular features are increasingly incorporated into classifications, risk models, and treatment selection. Depending on panel design and sensitivity, NGS can also support diagnosis in challenging cases (e.g., suspected “triple-negative” myeloproliferative neoplasm or complex lymphoma cases), detect low-level adverse subclonal variants (e.g., 

), Ig/TCR clonality assessment, informing risk and treatment decisions. In selected settings, profiling may also identify trackable biomarkers for minimal residual disease response monitoring.

In each case, for rapid testing to translate into clinical value, results need to be clear, consistent, and integrated into the established clinical workflows. Unclear reporting can delay decisions and may require confirmatory or additional testing, adding time in situations where decisions are time-sensitive.

The technical capability for rapid NGS now exists in many regions. Automation, streamlined library preparation, and integrated bioinformatics have reduced hands-on time and improved reproducibility.

Yet, adoption remains uneven. Often, barriers to precision medicine in hematology are operational: staffing, interpretation capacity, validation and reporting, and funding or reimbursement determine whether genomic data arrives in time and is usable.

Running these technologies requires specialist expertise and resources to validate assays, manage high-throughput analysis, and interpret findings. However, expertise is not evenly available across institutions. While professional guidelines exist, reporting practices vary across laboratories.

Roadblocks around affordability and equitable access are persistent challenges across healthcare that also complicate the adoption of NGS. While large academic centers are often better positioned to build and maintain in-house NGS services, community hospitals and rural clinics rely more on regional networks or external testing and may have limited local specialist capacity. As a result, access to rapid genomic profiling can vary widely.

Another contributing factor to the slower integration of NGS technologies is that coverage and funding haven’t been consistent across payers and health systems. Even when testing is clinically indicated, inconsistent coverage and prior authorization can delay ordering and make it difficult for laboratories to sustain rapid, in-house workflows and for smaller labs to justify the investment.

Enabling broader access to rapid molecular profiling

Wider access to NGS technologies is achievable. Automated specimen-to-report systems can reduce manual steps, support more predictable turnaround times, and enable standardized analysis and reporting across laboratories. While automation does not solve everything, such as reimbursement, local policies, and the availability of clinical expertise, it can make decentralized in-house rapid molecular profiling more feasible.

Curated disease-focused targeted panels are often the most practical choice for rapid clinical decision-making. By concentrating on clinically actionable genes, they reduce interpretive burden and allow faster analysis without compromising clinical relevance. Partnerships with academic institutions and regional networks can also extend interpretive expertise to community settings, helping bridge disparities in access.

The precision-medicine trials program myeloMATCH (Myeloid Malignancies Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice) in AML and MDS illustrates how rapid molecular profiling can be operationalized at scale. Early reports demonstrate the feasibility of collecting and returning clinical and molecular data quickly to support the matching of patients to genomically defined treatment studies.

Closing the gap between capability and access

Further transformation in the care of hematologic malignancies is likely to occur over the coming years, as rapid genomic testing becomes more integrated into routine practice. For many disease settings, the technology is ready for broader use, and the body of clinical evidence supporting its use continues to expand.

Because access, turnaround time, and consistency still vary across health systems, closing this gap will require investment in molecular diagnostic capacity, including validated workflows, quality systems, staffing, and automation. Equally important are education and ongoing support so clinicians and laboratory teams can order and interpret results consistently. Clearer reimbursement pathways and continued progress toward more standardized reporting can further reduce delays and variability across sites.

For hematologic malignancies, precision medicine is no longer aspirational—it is increasingly embedded in classification systems, risk models, and many treatment pathways. The remaining imperative is ensuring that genomic insight arrives in time to influence the decisions that matter most.

Döhner H, Wei AH, Appelbaum FR, et al. Diagnosis and management of AML in adults: 2022 recommendations from an international expert panel on behalf of the ELN. 

Articles

Rapid NGS and streamlined workflows are critical to delivering timely, actionable genomic insights in blood cancers, but access, reimbursement, and expertise gaps persist.

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Hematology

Timing Is Everything: Advancing Genomic Testing in Hematologic Malignancies

Linda Stein Gold, MD, is a dermatologist at Henry Ford Health. 

Eingun James Song, MD, is the director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology. 

Understanding the Psoriasis Treatment Landscape and Available IL-23 Inhibitors

In this episode, "Understanding the Psoriasis Treatment Landscape and Available IL-23 Inhibitors," the expert dermatologists explore the current state of treatment options for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and the practical considerations that guide therapy selection.

The panel opens by surveying the available treatment landscape, noting that while both oral and injectable biologic options exist, the newer IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors lead in efficacy, achieving high PASI responder rates in a relatively short timeframe. Oral therapies are acknowledged as an option for milder disease or for patients with a strong preference for a pill, but the panel notes that infrequent injection schedules of every 8 to 12 weeks are no longer a significant barrier for most patients, in part due to the widespread normalization of injectable medications for other conditions such as weight loss. The limitations of oral agents, including broader immunosuppression and less favorable efficacy, safety, and tolerability profiles compared to biologics, are also discussed.

The panel then provides a focused overview of the three FDA approved IL-23 inhibitors currently available. Risankizumab and guselkumab are noted as strong performers in achieving high therapeutic outcomes with similar onset of action and meaningful data in psoriatic arthritis as well. Tildrakizumab is characterized as somewhat slower in onset but capable of maintaining high levels of efficacy over time, with the added advantage of eligibility for Medicare benefit, making it a useful option for older patient populations.

The panel concludes that while no single therapy controls every patient, IL-23 inhibitors collectively handle a significant portion of the treatment burden in clinical practice, with the majority of patients able to achieve complete or near complete clearance with these agents.

The next episode in this series, "Evaluating Treatment Selection in Psoriasis," features the panelists advancing their conversation on psoriasis and focusing on the practical framework for choosing between TNF, IL-17, and IL-23 inhibitors based on patient specific factors, as well as the clinical and practical implications of biosimilar use and formulary driven treatment decisions.

Videos

Video Series

Positive Results Identified for Risankizumab and Other Psoriasis Drugs, With David Cotter, MD, PhD

, David Cotter, MD, PhD, assistant clinical professor at the University of Nevada, shared his perspective on new data and recent developments in psoriasis management highlighted during the 

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 on the floor of the 2026 AAD meeting, Cotter offered an enthusiastic and candid tour of what he sees as the most clinically meaningful developments in psoriasis currently, from new site-specific data on established biologics to a landmark oral treatment approval he anticipates could change prescribing habits significantly.

“We have a number of new molecules that are going to be entering soon, and we have some updated data from some of our old favorite molecules, some things that are particularly exciting and have dedicated studies looking at high impact sites,” Cotter expressed.

Among the findings that stood out most to Cotter, new data on risankizumab (Skyrizi) aimed specifically at high-impact sites, including scalp and genital psoriasis, were spotlighted. The availability of dedicated endpoints for these notoriously difficult areas has already shifted his practice, Cotter noted, pointing out that his own initiation of risankizumab more frequently for patients with genital involvement as the new results emerged.

Additionally, Cotter highlighted a recent label update for guselkumab (Tremfya) supporting its ability to inhibit radiographic progression in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a development he believes shifts the calculation when selecting a first-line agent for patients managing both skin and joint disease.

On the question of head-to-head comparative data, Cotter pointed to 5 head-to-head trials on risankizumab against different mechanisms of action, including such drugs as apremilast and deucravacitinib. These data have resulted in risankizumab being his default biologic for plaque psoriasis.

In the PsA space, Cotter flagged bimekizumab as potentially the strongest option overall, citing topline data from the BE BOLD trial demonstrating superiority over risankizumab in attainment of rapid joint disease control. Turning to oral therapies, Cotter also noted the approval of icotrokinra (Icotyde) for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis down to age 12 as signifianct. He called it a game changer both therapeutically and regulatorily, noting its launch-day pediatric approval signals a great deal about the drug's safety profile and the rigor with which it was studied.

Disclosures: Cotter has previously reported serving as a consultant, speaker, and/or investigator for AbbVie, Alumis, Arcutis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Castle, Dermavant/Organon, DermTech, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Johnson and Johnson, Journey, KOWA, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi, UCB.

Magnolo N, Soung J, Sivamani RK, et al. Risankizumab vs deucravacitinib in adults with moderate plaque psoriasis: week 16 subgroup results from the IMMpactful study. Poster presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, CO. Poster DV-017716.

Johnson and Johnson. FDA approves ICOTYDE (icotrokinra), the first and only targeted oral peptide IL-23 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Press release. Published March 18, 2026. Accessed March 18, 2026. 

https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases

This interview with David Cotter, MD, PhD, highlights recent findings and new data in the psoriasis treatment space highlighted at AAD 2026.

Plaque Psoriasis

The HCPLive plaque psoriasis page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on psoriasis. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for psoriatic disease, and more.

Conference

 conference coverage page features articles, videos, and expert-led live coverage from major medical meetings throughout the year.

Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, and Biochemistry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Director and Chair of the Peggy and Harold Katz Drug Discovery Center.

​​NEPTUNE and CureGN Driving Precision Nephrology Forward, With Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD

Efforts to better understand and treat glomerular diseases are increasingly being driven by large-scale, collaborative research initiatives that move beyond traditional disease labels. Longitudinal cohort studies such as Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) and Cure Glomerulonephropathy (CureGN) are reshaping how clinicians and researchers conceptualize kidney disease, shifting the focus from histologic patterns to underlying molecular mechanisms and patient-specific biology.

In an interview with HCPLive at the World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) Conference in Yokohama, Japan, Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD, a Professor of Medicine, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, and Biochemistry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Director and Chair of the Peggy and Harold Katz Drug Discovery Center, said these natural history studies provide a critical foundation for linking clinical presentation, demographics, and long-term outcomes. By integrating detailed phenotypic data with genomic and molecular analyses, they enable a more precise understanding of disease heterogeneity.

“Natural history studies are really the best way to understand the correlation between demographic, clinical presentations and outcomes,” she said. “I've been engaged in this study since the very beginning, and I have to say that most of my science has really been developed thanks to those studies that have allowed the de-risking drug development strategies and target identification by bringing clinical data to the bench.”

She notes that this approach has been instrumental in bridging a longstanding gap between nephrology and fields like oncology, where biomarker-driven treatment strategies are already well established.

One of the most significant contributions of these networks, she explains, is their ability to inform target discovery and therapeutic development. Drawing on biopsy-based transcriptomic data, researchers have identified novel molecular pathways involved in disease progression.

Fornoni says these advances are also beginning to reshape clinical trial design. Traditionally, nephrology trials have enrolled broad patient populations based on histologic diagnosis alone, often resulting in mixed outcomes. She emphasizes that molecular stratification offers a more targeted approach. By matching patients to therapies based on molecular phenotype, researchers may improve the likelihood of demonstrating treatment efficacy and accelerate drug development.

Despite this progress, she cautions that these approaches remain largely within the research domain. While the ability to identify activated pathways in individual patients is advancing, it has not yet translated into routine clinical decision-making. Fornoni underscores the importance of transparency and patient engagement as these tools evolve, particularly as clinicians begin to communicate complex molecular data to patients.

Looking ahead, she describes a field on the cusp of transformation. With a growing pipeline of targeted therapies and increasingly sophisticated tools for patient stratification, nephrology is moving toward a more precise, individualized model of care that holds promise for improving outcomes across a range of glomerular diseases.

“It's really an exciting time in nephrology now with so many new drugs. We used to sit there and just prescribe RAAS inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and having all these disease and soon that the tool to match the right drug to the right patient makes nephrology a very exciting discipline to practice,” she said.

Editors’ note: Fornoni reports relevant disclosures with Travere, Alexion, Novartis, Vera Therapeutics, Bayer, Aion, and others.

NIDDK. Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE). Accessed March 30, 2026. 

https://repository.niddk.nih.gov/study/115

NIDDK. Cure Glomerulonephropathy (CureGN). Accessed March 30, 2026. 

https://repository.niddk.nih.gov/study/171

NEPTUNE and CureGN are advancing precision nephrology, linking molecular data to outcomes and enabling targeted therapies and smarter clinical trial design.

Nephrology

The HCPLive nephrology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on kidney disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in nephrology, and more.

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

The HCPLive focal segmental glomerulosclerosis page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on FSGS. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in FSGS, and more. 

Strategic Alliance Partnership

The Future of CAR-T in Lupus Nephritis Treatment, With Brad Rovin, MD

The emergence of CAR-T cell therapy in lupus nephritis has generated significant excitement, but questions remain around how and when this intensive approach should be used. While early studies have focused on patients with refractory disease, the broader clinical vision may extend much earlier in the disease course, particularly as safety and feasibility continue to improve.

 at at the World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) Conference in Yokohama, Japan, Brad Rovin, MD, said the current emphasis on refractory populations reflects regulatory caution, ensuring that higher-risk therapies are first tested in patients with limited alternatives. However, he suggests this approach may not fully capture the therapy’s potential.

Check out part 1 of the interview with Rovin 

Patients with longstanding, treatment-resistant disease often have accumulated, irreversible damage, which may limit the likelihood of achieving full recovery. In contrast, he envisions a future where CAR-T therapy could be used earlier, potentially at the time of diagnosis, to alter the disease trajectory before significant organ damage occurs.

He emphasizes that this shift could be particularly meaningful for the predominantly young patient population affected by lupus nephritis, as conventional treatment regimens often involve prolonged immunosuppression, multiple medications, and significant side effects, all of which can disrupt education, careers, and family planning. If CAR-T therapy can be delivered safely and efficiently, it may offer the possibility of durable remission with reduced long-term treatment burden.

Despite this promise, Rovin notes that logistical barriers remain. Current autologous CAR-T approaches require harvesting and engineering a patient’s own cells, a process that can take weeks and may necessitate holding background immunosuppression. This delay, along with the need for hospitalization, complicates real-world implementation. Looking ahead, he highlights the potential of allogeneic, “off-the-shelf” CAR-T products designed to evade immune rejection, which could streamline delivery and enable outpatient administration.

He also points to emerging alternatives, such as bispecific antibodies that engage T cells without requiring cell harvesting. While these agents may offer greater convenience, they still carry risks such as cytokine release syndrome and require careful evaluation.

Ultimately, he underscores that the future of CAR-T therapy will depend on advances in precision medicine. Identifying which patients are most likely to benefit and aligning treatment strategies with patient preferences will be critical. As the evidence base rapidly expands, he stresses the importance of shared decision-making and continued clinical investigation to define the optimal role of these therapies in lupus care.

Relevant disclosures for Rovin include Biogen, GSK, Genentech/Roche, BMS, Travere, Alexion, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Otsuka, Calliditis, and others.

 Allogeneic anti-CD19 CAR-T cells induce remission in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus. 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41422-025-01128-1

Hsieh EWY, Chung JB, Amin A, et al. Key considerations for advancing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a multi-partner/disciplinary working group perspective. 

https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2025-005866

CAR-T therapy in lupus may shift earlier in care, but challenges in access, logistics, and patient selection remain as the field moves toward precision treatment.

Priya Verghese, MBBS (MD), MPH, is the Division Head of Pediatric Nephrology, and Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital.

FSGS recurrence threatens transplant success, yet clinicians still lack reliable predictors, mechanisms, and effective prevention strategies.

The Search for Answers in FSGS Recurrence, With Priya Verghese, MBBS (MD), MPH

Melinda Gooderham, MD, is a dermatologist and the medical director at the SKiN Centre for Dermatology.

New late-breaking phase 3 data suggest zasocitinib may help reshape the oral treatment landscape for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Sustained PASI Responses Observed Through Week 60 with Zasocitinib, With Melinda Gooderham, MD

William Fearon, MD, is a professor of medicine and the director of interventional cardiology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Fearon discusses results from the ALL-RISE trial, which demonstrated the FFRangio’s efficacy in assessing lesions for patients with coronary artery disease.

Cardiology

Cardiology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for heart disease and cardiovascular events, as well as associated diabetes, renal failure, and more...

FFR Angiography Noninferior to Pressure-Wire Strategy in CAD Analysis, With William Fearon, MD

Stay updated with the latest healthcare breakthroughs, including late breaking data from 3 conferences, in this week’s essential news roundup. 

Dermatology

The HCPLive dermatology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on skin disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for dermatologic conditions, and more.

The HCPFive: Top News for Healthcare Providers from the Week of 03/22

Patrick Campbell is the editorial director of HCPLive. Patrick has spent years spearheading coverage surrounding cardiometabolic health and rheumatic disease for MJH Life Sciences. Before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2019, he spent time as a beat reporter and/or multimedia specialist with the Pocono Record, Star News Group, and NJ Advance Media. He is the executive producer for multiple HCPLive podcasts, including Diabetes Dialogue, Don't Miss a Beat, Kidney Compass, Medical Ethics Unpacked, The Medical Sisterhood, and Skin of Color Savvy. 


Follow him on Twitter @RealPatCampbell or reach him via email at PCampbell@mjhlifesciences.com.

Results of the MOMENTUM trial suggest the prevalence of hypercortisolism in resistant hypertension could be greater than previous estimates have indicated.

Hypertension

The HCPLive hypertension page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on high blood pressure. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for hypertension, and more.

Type 2 Diabetes

MOMENTUM: Hypercortisolism Present in 1-in-4 with Resistant Hypertension

Navin Kapur, MD, is the director of the Acute Circulatory Support Program and associate director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Tufts Medical Center.

Although not statistically significant, the reduction represents a potential new pathway for treating patients with STEMI.

Structural Heart Disease

LV Unloading Before Delayed PCI Reduces Infarct Size by 1%, With Gregg Stone, MD, and Navin Kapur, MD

In this segment of his interview, Eichenfield highlights the safety and tolerability of roflumilast cream for infants with atopic dermatitis in INTEGUMENT-OLE.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis condition center page, audiences can find a variety of coverage mediums for medical news and updates, including articles, video interviews, podcasts, and breaking news on dermatitis research, treatment, and drug development.

Roflumilast Cream 0.05% Well Tolerated in Children with Eczema, With Lawrence Eichenfield, MD

Victoria Johnson joined MJH Life Sciences in 2020 and has written for NeurologyLive, CGTLive, and is now an assistant managing editor for HCPLive and RheumatologyLive. She doesn’t have enough time for her numerous hobbies. You can reach her at vjohnson@mjhlifesciences.com.

The IMMpactful direct comparison provides prospective data in a moderate psoriasis population that previous MAICs could not fully capture.

Risankizumab Outperforms Deucravacitinib on Psoriasis Clearance Across Patient Subgroups in Phase 4 Head-to-Head Trial

Podcasts

Vlado Perkovic, MBBS, PhD, discusses APPLAUSE-IgAN data showing iptacopan reduced eGFR decline and lowered kidney event risk in IgA nephropathy.

IgA Nephropathy

The HCPLive Berger disease page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on IgA nephropathy. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in Berger disease, and more.

podcasts page features a feed of medical news and interview podcast series, including DocTalk, Lungcast, Derm Discussions, and Heart Trials.

Kidney Compass: Navigating Clinical Trials

Hosted by Brendon Neuen, MBBS, PhD, and Shikha Wadhwani, MD, MS, Kidney Compass: Navigating Clinical Trials is a regular podcast exploring and breaking down the latest updates and nuances of clinical trials in nephrology. By listening to Kidney Compass, you'll get the guidance you need to navigate the changing landscape of clinical trials across the spectrum of kidney disease. 

Kidney Compass: New 2-Year APPLAUSE-IgAN Data for Iptacopan at WCN 2026

Hiddo Heerspink, MD, PhD, highlights ASSIST trial data showing atrasentan reduced proteinuria by 25% on top of SGLT2 inhibitors in IgA nephropathy.

Latest News

Timing Is Everything: Advancing Genomic Testing in Hematologic Malignancies

Understanding the Psoriasis Treatment Landscape and Available IL-23 Inhibitors

Positive Results Identified for Risankizumab and Other Psoriasis Drugs, With David Cotter, MD, PhD

​​NEPTUNE and CureGN Driving Precision Nephrology Forward, With Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD

The Future of CAR-T in Lupus Nephritis Treatment, With Brad Rovin, MD

NEPTUNE and CureGN Driving Precision Nephrology Forward, With Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD