ASTCT Talks

About ASTCT Talks

ASTCT Talks is the official podcast of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). We chat with industry leaders from all areas of the blood and marrow transplantation and cellular therapy field, including doctors, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses, administrators, social workers, and more. We hope you enjoy listening!

Publisher

ASTCT

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Nov 2020

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

85 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Is Less More? Antibiotic De-escalation in Hematopoietic Cell Transplants

   In a cobranded episode between Oncology On the Go, hosted by CancerNetwork®, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)’s program ASTCT Talks, an expert panel explored when early antibiotic de-escalation may be feasible for pediatric populations who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation. The panel was hosted by Diego R. Hijano, MD, MSc, who was joined by his colleagues Gabriela Marón, MD, MSc, and Fareed Khawaja, MBBS.• The conversation examines antimicrobial stewardship and its role in microbial resistance prevention and microbiome health in a broad transplant population.• The panel explores when early antibiotic de-escalation may be safe and appropriate for patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation in both adult and pediatrics.• Experts discuss emerging evidence and guidelines supporting shorter courses of gram-negative and gram-positive antibiotic coverage in transplant recipients.Marón began by contextualizing the traditional practice of continuing antibiotic therapy until neutrophil recovery, which was based on host defense physiology instead of clinical trial data. Prolonged antibiotic use, she said, may correspond with resistant pathogens, bloodstream infections, and increased intensive care unit mortality across pediatric populations. Additionally, a limited pipeline for new antibiotic agents, especially for pediatric patients, makes the prevention of resistance critical during patient care. Khawaja continued the discussion by highlighting recent literature and randomized clinical trials supporting the de-escalation of gram-negative coverage within 48 to 72 hours if no infection source is identified. He referenced new guidelines from the European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia, which support de-escalating antibiotics at 40 to 72 hours if no clear source of fever appears.1 Another study published in 2023 showed that decreased antibiotic days resulted in similar rates of successful treatment, subsequent fever, and 30-day mortality.2 Additionally, advances such as improved blood culture incubation and PET scans may bolster the ability of clinicians to safely de-escalate treatment. Future directions in the field, Khawaja said, may include investigating how aggressive stewardship impacts long-term outcomes while learning how to implement quality improvement programs. Marón also identified a need for more prospective pediatric trials and data on how the microbiome changes following prolonged antibiotic exposure. Hijano is medical director of Occupational Health and director of the Infectious Disease, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Cellular Therapy Division at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Marón is a pediatric infectious disease specialist who works with patients who undergo transplant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Khawaja is an associate professor of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, and Internal Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.References1. Averbuch D, Vanbiervliet Y, Baccelli F, et al. Empirical and targeted antimicrobial therapy in patients with febrile neutropenia and haematological malignancy or after haematopoietic cell transplantation: recommendations from the 10th European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia. Lancet Infect Dis. 2026;26(6):e232-e247. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00619-X.2. Patel PA, Teherani MF, Xiang Y, et al. Short-course empiric antibiotics in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Transplant Cell Ther. 2023;29(12):778.e1-778.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jtct.2023.09.011

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Taking CAR-T Outpatient: A Clinical Pharmacy Perspective

   In this episode of ASTCT Talks, host Terri Lynn Shigle, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacy specialist with Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Department at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and current ASTCT director of pharmacists (ex-officio), is joined by Erin Eberwein, PharmD, CPP, BCOP, clinical pharmacist practitioner for ambulatory setting with Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy at Duke University Hospital, and Cameron Ninos, PharmD, BCOP, cellular therapy clinical pharmacist at UW Health, to discuss the growing shift of CAR T therapy from the inpatient setting to outpatient. As advances in toxicity prediction, remote patient monitoring, and clinical guidance make outpatient cellular therapy increasingly feasible, centers are developing new models of care to safely administer CAR T therapy while improving patient access and experience. Drawing on their frontline experience, Drs. Eberwein and Ninos share practical approaches to building, managing, and optimizing outpatient CAR T programs. The discussion covers: Building and operating an outpatient CAR T clinic, including patient selection, multidisciplinary team structure, and after-hours support. Outpatient monitoring and management of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), including remote monitoring technologies, caregiver education, and admission criteria. Key pharmacy considerations, including lymphodepletion dosing, supportive care strategies, growth factor use, and the expanding role of the clinical pharmacy specialist in outpatient cellular therapy. This episode provides practical insights for clinicians, pharmacists, and cellular therapy programs seeking to expand outpatient CAR T delivery while maintaining safety, coordination, and high-quality patient care. Listen to the episode below or on your favorite app. Subscribe to ASTCT Talks and share this episode with your colleagues to keep the conversation going. This episode was made possible through support from Johnson & Johnson.

3. 

   8 Oct 2026

   TIL Therapy in Sarcoma: From Tumor Procurement to Clinical Response

   In this episode of ASTCT Talks, host Daniel Olson, MD, medical oncologist and co-leader of the melanoma, sarcoma, and solid tumor cellular therapy programs at the University of Chicago, is joined by John Mullinax, MD, surgical oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, and Lauren Banks, MD, medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to discuss the emerging role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy in sarcoma. As TIL therapy expands beyond melanoma, investigators are exploring its potential in soft tissue sarcomas, including dedifferentiated liposarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. The conversation examines the scientific rationale for TIL therapy in sarcoma, early clinical results, and the unique surgical and operational considerations required to bring this cellular therapy approach to patients with solid tumors. The discussion covers: The unmet clinical need in sarcoma and why certain sarcoma subtypes may be particularly attractive candidates for TIL therapy. Early clinical experience with TIL therapy in sarcoma and what the initial results may mean for future treatment approaches. Practical considerations for tumor procurement, including lesion selection, surgical planning, and manufacturing success. The multidisciplinary collaboration required among surgery, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, and cellular therapy teams to successfully deliver TIL therapy. This episode provides clinical, translational, and operational perspectives on one of the most promising emerging applications of cellular therapy in solid tumors and explores what may be next for patients with sarcoma. Listen to the episode below or on your favorite app. Subscribe to ASTCT Talks and share this episode with your colleagues to keep the conversation going. This episode was made possible through support fromIovance.

Who has been a guest on ASTCT Talks

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Daniel Weisdorf
• Rahul Banerjee
• Taha Al-Juhaishi
• Muhammad Salman Faisal
• Dr Taha Al-Juhaishi

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

53

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

75

Contact ASTCT Talks

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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