Overview
For over 30 years, the Acute Leukemia Forum (ALF) has continued its tradition of being a premier event for hematology and oncology professionals. This conference brings together leading experts to share groundbreaking research and clinical advances that shape the treatment and management of acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. As we look ahead to 2027, ALF will focus on addressing the evolving educational needs of those involved in the care of patients with these challenging malignancies.
We look forward to you joining our community of healing at the 31st Acute Leukemia Forum, April 15-16, 2027, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California!
Defining Moments From the 2026 Conference
Meet the Chairs
Daniel A. Pollyea, MD, MS
Professor of Medicine Clinical Director of Leukemia Services Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs Robert H. Allen MD Chair in Hematology Research Division of Hematology University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora, Colorado
Eytan M. Stein, MD
Chief, Leukemia Service Director Program for Drug Development in Leukemia Associate Attending Physician Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York
Hetty E. Carraway, MD, MBA
Professor of Medicine Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Case Western Reserve University Director, Leukemia Program Vice Chair Strategy and Enterprise Development Taussig Cancer Institute Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, Ohio
Agenda
Please note all sessions listed in Central Time. Agenda subject to change.
Thursday, April 15
Day 1
6:45 am
Registration Opens
7:15 am — 8:15 am
Breakfast & Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
8:15 am — 8:30 am
Exhibit & Poster Hall Opens
8:30 am — 8:40 am
Conference Welcome
8:40 am — 10:45 am
Session I: Advances in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Precursor States
8:40 am — 8:45 am
Session Introduction
8:45 am — 9:05 am
We Should Start Therapy Prior to Transfusion Dependence in LR-MDS
9:05 am — 9:15 am
Audience Q&A
Rami Komrokji, MD
9:15 am — 9:35 am
What Can Spatial Transcriptomics Teach Us About Myelodysplastic Syndromes?
9:35 am — 9:45 am
Audience Q&A
Susan DeWolf, MD
9:45 am — 10:05 am
When To Include a Workup For Germline Predisposition States Like Short Telomere Syndrome or Other Germline States
10:05 am — 10:15 am
Audience Q&A
Christopher R. Reilly, MD
10:15 am — 10:35 am
Targeting the Inflammasome to Treat MDS
10:35 am — 10:45 am
Audience Q&A
Alan List, MD
10:45 am — 11:15 am
Break: Visit Exhibit & Poster Hall
11:15 am — 11:55 am
Stump the Experts: MDS & AML
Eunice S. Wang, MD
11:55 am — 1:30 pm
Session II: Pre-Clinical Translational Research
11:55 am — 12:00 pm
Session Introduction
12:00 pm — 12:20 pm
Modeling the Malignant Niche: 3D Systems and Spatial Biology in AM
12:20 pm — 12:30 pm
Audience Q&A
Iannis Aifantis, MD
12:30 pm — 12:50 pm
No More Marrows? Mapping Circulating Stem Cells in AML
12:50 pm — 1:00 pm
Audience Q&A
Liran I. Shlush, MD, PhD
1:00 pm — 1:20 pm
What is the Role of Transposons in the HSC Niche?
1:20 pm — 1:30 pm
Audience Q&A
1:30 pm — 2:30 pm
Lunch & Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
2:30 pm — 2:45 pm
Refreshment Break: Visit Exhibit & Poster Hall
2:45 pm — 3:50 pm
Session III: Novel Strategies in ALL
2:45 pm — 2:50 pm
Session Introduction
2:50 pm — 3:10 pm
Pearls and Pitfalls: Challenges and Opportunities of Blinatumomab
3:10 pm — 3:20 pm
Audience Q&A
Marlise R. Luskin, MD
3:20 pm — 3:40 pm
PIVEK vs Tag For BPDCN
3:40 pm — 3:50 pm
Audience Q&A
3:50 pm — 4:05 pm
Break: Visit Exhibit & Poster Hall
4:05 pm — 5:40 pm
Session IV: Multidisciplinary Care
4:05 pm — 4:10 pm
Session Introduction
4:10 pm — 4:30 pm
From Snouts to Souls: How Palliative Pigs Caultivate Resilence, Joy and Purpose in Leukemia Care
4:30 pm — 4:40 pm
Audience Q&A
4:40 pm — 5:00 pm
Health Disparities & Care
5:00 pm — 5:10 pm
Audience Q&A
5:10 pm — 5:30 pm
Best Practices for Evaluation of Elderly AML Patients for BMT Eligibility
5:30 pm — 5:40 pm
Audience Q&A
5:40 pm — 6:40 pm
Refreshments & Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
6:40 pm — 7:40 pm
Welcome Reception
7:40 pm
Day One Adjourns
Friday, April 16
Day 2
Friday, April 16
7:00 am
Registration Opens
7:15 am — 8:15 am
Breakfast & Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
8:15 am — 8:30 am
Exhibit & Poster Hall Opens
8:30 am — 8:35 am
Welcome Back
8:35 am — 8:40 am
Session Introduction
8:35 am — 10:10 am
Session V: Acute Myeloid Leukemia
8:40 am — 9:00 am
The Significance of Mutation Location in AML Prognostication
9:00 am — 9:10 am
Audience Q&A
Andrew Kent, MD, PhD
9:10 am — 9:30 am
Menin Inhibition
9:30 am — 9:40 am
Audience Q&A
9:40 am — 10:00 am
Dealing with Abundance: Should we Preferentially Target FLT3 when there are Multiple Targetable Mutations (NPM1, IDH1/2)?
10:00 am — 10:10 am
Audience Q&A
Jessica Altman, MD
10:15 am — 11:15 am
Refreshments & Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
11:15 am — 11:45 am
Break: Visit Exhibit & Poster Hall
1:45 pm — 2:00 pm
Refreshement Break: Visit Exhibit & Poster Hall
11:45 am — 12:45 pm
Session VI: Ernest Beutler Memorial Lecture
11:45 am — 11:55 pm
Introduction
11:55 am — 12:35 pm
Ernest Beutler Memorial Lecture
12:35 pm — 12:45 pm
Audience Q&A
Jacob M. Rowe, MD
12:45 pm — 1:45 pm
Lunch & Non-CME/CE Bonus Presentation
2:00 pm — 3:45 pm
Session VII: Bone Marrow Transplant
2:00 pm — 2:05 pm
Session Introduction
2:05 pm — 2:25 pm
Don’t Be Late! Does the Timing of CAR-T Cell Therapy Influence Outcomes and Why?
2:25 pm — 2:35 pm
Audience Q&A
Roni Shouval, MD, PhD
2:35 pm — 2:55 pm
Does GVHD Remain a Significant Issue in Modern Day Bone Marrow Transplants?
2:55 pm — 3:05 pm
Audience Q&A
3:15 pm — 3:35 pm
Should We Offer Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants to Patients With Active Leukemia
3:35 pm — 3:45 pm
Audience Q&A
3:45 pm — 3:55 pm
Closing Remarks
3:55 pm
Conference Ends