Research Update: Findings from the PIONEER Trial of Avapritinib in Patients with Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis

Join TMS for this informative webinar describing the findings of the trial of Avapritinib in patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM).

During this one-hour webinar, you will learn more about this ground-breaking study, hear an ISM patient’s perspective, and have some of your questions answered by our guest panelists.

Please include any questions you have in the space provided on the registration form. The questions that are part of the Q&A panel will be chosen from among the questions that we receive from this registration form.

Speakers & Panelists

Mariana Castells, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Director, Drug Hypersensitivity and Desensitization Center
Director, Mastocytosis Center
Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Steve B. From Orlando Florida

Celeste Finnerty, PhD
Chair, TMS Research Committee,
Vice Chair, TMS Board of Directors

Welcome Address by Judi Emmel, Chair, TMS Board of Directors
Moderator: Jessica Fraser, TMS Executive Director

Speaker Bios

Mariana Castells, MD, PhD

Professor Castells is a clinician, researcher and teacher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, USA. She is the Director of the Drug Hypersensitivity and Drug Desensitization Center, as well as the Director of the Mastocytosis Center, and has served as the Allergy and Immunology Training Program Director for 20 years.

Professor Castells served on the Board of Directors of The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), and is now the research chair director of the AAAAI Foundation. She is on the Board of Directors for the ABAI and the council for the Collegium International Allerogologicum (CIA) and has directed the International Drug Desensitization Meeting (DDIM) in Barcelona, Spain, yearly.

Professor Castells has spearheaded the evaluation and understanding of drug anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity and provided desensitization protocols which are used as standards around the world, treating thousands of patients with cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases, maintaining these patients on their first line therapy.

Her research has uncovered mast cell inhibitory mechanisms which are pertinent to desensitization and management of mast cell mediators related symptoms. She has been involved in mast cell related research and guidelines for Mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorders, published over 60 publications in the field, and is actively participating in clinical trials including PIONEER BLU-285.

Steve B., Orlando Florida

Steve is 63 years old and lives in Orlando Florida. He is married to his wife of 9 years, Claudia , who has been his biggest supporter and advocate through his ISM journey. Steve was originally diagnosed with cutaneous mastosytosis in approximately 2014. Then in 2019 he was properly diagnosed with indolent systemic mastosytosis (ISM) because not many doctors knew of this disease. 

Steve has been a remodeling contractor for about 20 years. 

He enjoys golfing, fishing, gardening, watching all kinds of sports. AND now, because of the medication Ayvakit, he is able to enjoy being with friends more often!

Celeste Finnerty, PhD

Dr. Finnerty is the Vice Chair, Research on TMS’ Board of Directors and chairs the Research Committee. She is also a translational researcher and educator at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston Texas. With the members of TMS’ research committee, Dr. Finnerty engages in collaborative research that promotes the patient perspective; these efforts include ongoing collaborations with Blueprint Medicines.