Defining lines of therapy in haematological malignancies: a proposed systematic and comprehensive framework from the EBMT Practice Harmonisation and Guidelines Committee - Summary - MDSpire

Defining lines of therapy in haematological malignancies: a proposed systematic and comprehensive framework from the EBMT Practice Harmonisation and Guidelines Committee

  • By

  • Alessandro Criscimanna

  • Jacques-Emanuel Galimard

  • Isabel Sánchez-Ortega

  • Patrick J. Hayden

  • Laurent Garderet

  • Anna Sureda

  • Fabio Ciceri

  • Donal P. McLornan

  • Krzysztof Kałwak

  • Antonio M. Risitano

  • Francesco Onida

  • Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha

  • Ali Bazarbachi

  • Annalisa Ruggeri

  • June 3, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

Objective:

To develop a standardized framework for defining lines of therapy (LoT) in hematological malignancies to enhance research and data harmonization due to existing variability.

Key Findings:
  • A LoT is defined as a coherent therapeutic episode aimed at achieving or maintaining disease control, comprising one or more systemic treatment phases.
  • New LoTs are assigned at documented progression, relapse, or primary refractory disease, and the introduction of an agent from a distinct therapeutic class.
  • Bridging therapies administered prior to cellular therapy are considered part of the same LoT as the definitive treatment.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • Substantial variability exists in how LoTs are defined and counted across studies and registries.
  • Current definitions may not capture therapeutic intent or the biological significance of disease control.
Conclusion:

Establishing uniformity in defining LoTs is critical for enhancing methodological rigor.

Original Source(s)

Defining lines of therapy in haematological malignancies: a proposed systematic and comprehensive framework from the EBMT Practice Harmonisation and Guidelines Committee

  • by Alessandro Criscimanna, Jacques-Emanuel Galimard, Isabel Sánchez-Ortega, Patrick J. Hayden, Laurent Garderet, Anna Sureda, Fabio Ciceri, Donal P. McLornan, Krzysztof Kałwak, Antonio M. Risitano, Francesco Onida, Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha, Ali Bazarbachi, Annalisa Ruggeri

  • June 3, 2026

Related Content

Case Report: Dynamic TKI combination strategies for EGFR-mutant NSCLC with acquired ROS1 fusion and brain metastases

Development and validation of a machine learning-based risk prediction model for cancer-related fatigue in ovarian cancer patients

Case Report: A rare case of over 45 years’ survival in a patient with tonsillar adenoid cystic carcinoma