SOHO 2025 marked the debut of the Continuous Learning Collaborative (CLC) titled, “R/R CLL/SLL Clinical Insights: Navigating Novel Therapy Integration and Sequencing Considerations,” a brand-new educational pilot program for SOHO young investigators in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
The program is collaboration between SOHO and the Medical Learning Institute (MLI); the CLC is aimed specifically at young investigators (those within 10 years of practice) treating patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL at community and small academic centers.
The CLC offers participants an opportunity to align their current treatment strategies with the latest evidence-based guidelines and novel therapies. Over an 18-month journey, participating young investigators will engage in real-world data collection, practical case simulations, and high-impact live education.
A 90-minute session at SOHO 2025 was held with program participants, who interacted with real-world cases through MLI’s Build Your Own Case Study™ (BYOCS™) platform, an immersive way to learn, apply, reflect, and get immediate feedback from experts on treatment decisions. The BYOCS™ platform helps participants sharpen their skills in personalized treatment planning across the CLL disease continuum, from newly diagnosed to relapsed or refractory settings.
The CLC will continue after the SOHO meeting has ended. Participants will revisit the same BYOCS™ cases one month later to measure educational impact, and real-world clinical data will be gathered at six and 12 months to track practice pattern changes.
These results will be reported in peer-reviewed publications, scientific abstracts, and features in SOHO Insider, SOHO’s official news publication.
The CLL/SLL live intensive will also be made available to all SOHO 2025 attendees in the form of an on-demand, CME-accredited activity.
If successful, this pilot will set the stage for recurring initiatives, creating a long-term legacy of mentorship, collaboration, and clinical excellence among SOHO’s young investigator community.
Insights from YIP participants
SOHO Insider Daily Edition reached out to several participants in the YIP CLL/SLL program who shared their research initiatives and what excites them about the 2025 SOHO Annual Meeting.
Turab Mohammed, MD, Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute
Dr. Mohammed said he received an invitation to be a part of the CLL initiative, and since the bulk of his practice is caring for patients with lymphoid malignancies, he decided to join.Through this initiative, he aims to improve the understanding of disease progression and find new ways to develop therapies and innovative approaches to halt relapse. Dr. Mohammed is looking forward to networking and collaborating with hematologists from around the world and learning from internationally recognized experts about the latest cutting-edge advances in malignant hematology and future innovative developments.
Muhammad Bilal Abid, MD, MS, The University of Texas Health Science Center
Dr. Abid’s research mainly focuses on toxicities related to cellular therapy. There are two major areas he currently focuses on: (1) finding the mechanistic drivers of toxicity associated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell constructs and bispecific antibodies across indications and ways to mitigate these toxicities; and (2) profiling gut microbial taxa/diversity and its impact on the immune-based cancer therapeutics, while concurrently designing interventional trials where these findings are harnessed to improve efficacy and prevent toxicities associated with cellular therapy platforms.
He said the therapeutic landscape for CLL has evolved rapidly over the last three years. In the relapsed and refractory setting, there are now several agents, including CAR-T cell therapy and novel Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. Dr. Abid hopes to learn how to best sequence these therapies, balancing patient profiles and disease characteristics. He also looks forward to learning how best to manage and mitigate toxicities associated with current therapies.
Of SOHO 2025, Dr. Abid is most excited about the networking opportunities.
Taha Al-Juhaishi, MD, OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center
Dr. Al-Juhaishi’s research is focused on outcomes and quality improvement in lymphoid malignancies, especially in patients undergoing CAR-T or hematopoietic cell transplantation. Jennifer Holter-Chakrabarty, MD, at OU Stephenson Cancer Center, and Mehdi Hamadani, MD, at Medical College of Wisconsin, have been instrumental in shaping his research career.
Muhammad Usman, MD
Of SOHO 2025, Dr. Usman said he’s looking forward to attending sessions on cutting-edge CLL therapies and personalized medicine, networking with international leaders and fellow early-career investigators, presenting his research and receiving feedback from experts, and participating in interactive workshops focused on career development and clinical trial methodology.
Chen Zhang, MD, MS, Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on use of consolidative loncastuximab tesirine in large B-cell lymphoma patients who have achieved complete response but remain measurable residual disease (MRD)-positive following CAR T-cell therapy. Additionally, he is exploring the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy across different patient subgroups and developing management strategies for the associated neurotoxicity.
His research mentor is Paolo Strati, MD, from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“Dr. Strati exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional clinical investigator, and he has been instrumental in shaping my future career in the field of lymphoma,” Dr. Zhang said. “He has also set a remarkable example for me to follow as I mentor future trainees.”
Dr. Zhang continued that his clinical mentor is Parameswaran Venugopal, MD, from Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center. “As the most senior lymphoma specialist at Rush, Dr. Venugopal has been incredibly supportive in advancing my career in lymphoma and CLL,” said Dr. Zhang. “He generously shares his extensive clinical expertise, teaching me everything he knows and serving as an exemplary model in patient care.”
Shiva Jashwanth Gaddam, MD, LSU Health Shreveport
Dr. Gaddam’s previous work had been on real-world outcomes in CLL and its disease- and treatment-related complications. Now, he’s working on developing and incorporating clinical methodologies to improve outcomes in relapsed or refractory CLL post-CAR-T by possibly combining novel BTK inhibitors with CAR-T, with the potential utilization of MRD.
Shashank Cingam, MD, and Poornima Ramadas, MBBS, are his mentors.
“Their unwavering support, dedication to patient-centered care, thoughtful insights, and passion for translating scientific questions into meaningful clinical trials have inspired me to pursue a career as both a compassionate physician and an investigator,” he said.
His long-term goal is to establish a high-quality academic practice rooted in rigorous clinical research, especially investigator-initiated trials focused on novel therapeutics in myeloma and CLL.
Ahmed Elazab, MBBCh, MSc, Mansoura University School of Medicine
For research, Dr. Elazab is collecting informative data about double malignancies associated with CLL in the oncology center at Mansoura University in Egypt. This research aims to better understand the frequency, patterns, and outcomes of secondary cancers in CLL patients, with the goal of improving surveillance strategies and management in this unique patient population.
He said he learned about SOHO YIP through past participants from Egypt.
“Having attended SOHO 2024 through YIP, I truly appreciated the high-level scientific discussions, expert-led sessions, and the collaborative spirit of the meeting,”he said. “For SOHO 2025, I look forward to the same dynamic atmosphere.”
Renu Bhargavi Boyapati, MD, PGY-1 IM Resident, Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Of this program, Dr. Boyapati aims to deepen her understanding of the diagnostic complexities and emerging treatments in CLL to effectively manage tough clinical scenarios to better care for patients.
Dr. Boyapati’s mentor is Marshall Stagg II, MD, medical director of clinical research of oncology at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute. “He guided me through every stage of the research process,” said Dr. Boyapati.
Hanzala Jehangir, MD, PGY-IM resident, Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Dr. Jehangir’s research focuses on evaluating racial disparities in transplant and treatment outcomes across different hematologic malignancies. He aims to uncover structural inequities and hopes to inform policy-driven strategies to help provide better care to all cancer patients.
He said his mentors are M. Hammad Rashid, MD, and Mersiha Hadziahmetovic, MD, who have helped him immensely in shaping his career as a physician-scientist. Both have helped in developing critical research skills, particularly using large databases, and have helped him improve his academic writing abilities.
“I hope to supplement my understanding of the evolving landscape of relapsed CLL, including emerging therapies and mechanisms of resistance through the leaders of the field themselves,” he said of this program.
Khurram Tariq, MD, Intermountain Health
In Dr. Tariq’s current role, he is focused on expanding access to clinical trials in rural communities, with a particular emphasis on hematologic malignancies. He hopes to expand his professional network and collaborate with other hematologists who share a passion for advancing CLL care and research.
Richard Lewis,MD, University of Cologne
Dr. Lewis is interested in mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies and exploring novel combinatorial approaches that may overcome these challenges. He first heard about tYIP from a consultant physician, Paula Cramer, MD, who encouraged him to apply.
He said he has greatly benefited from the scientific and clinical expertise of the Department of Internal Medicine I at the University Hospital Cologne, led by Prof. Michael Hallek, whose contributions have significantly shaped the current understanding of CLL.
Fahmin Basher, MD, PhD, Duke University Health System
Dr. Basher’s research involves understanding aberrant B-cell pathways in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and B-cell lymphomas. She is studying the role of endogenous DNA sensing in regulating the survival of autoreactive B cells that result in autoimmune manifestations of cGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
She said her primary scientific mentor is Stefanie Sarantopoulos, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy at Duke University, who has been instrumental in shaping her professional journey through fellowship to junior faculty and has provided invaluable support in refining her research skills and scientific communication.
Her secondary mentors, focused on translational and clinical research in CLL, are Danielle Brander, MD, associate professor of medicine, and Daphne Friedman, MD, professor of medicine, both of Duke University. Their guidance and support have shaped her confidence in treating patients with hematologic malignancies, specifically CLL.
Dr. Basher is looking forward to SOHO 2025 because it offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in blood cancer research and treatment. She’s especially excited about networking with leading experts and gaining insights into emerging therapies and evolving clinical practices.
Kerri Fitzgerald helped with the reporting of this article.
The Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) created the Young Investigator Program (YIP) to support the training and development of young investigators and to promote quality research in the field of hematologic oncology. The YIP offers younger physicians and physician scientists the chance to attend the SOHO Annual Meeting each year and interact with leading investigators, practitioners, and other innovators in the field. Learn more about the Young Investigators Program.
