Hematology Frontier

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is a rare, highly aggressive lymphoid malignancy closely associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. Patients with advanced-stage or relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease continue to face poor outcomes, making effective treatment a longstanding clinical challenge. Recently, Director Zhihui Li and colleagues from Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital published a study in Blood Advances entitled "HSCT May Improve Survival in Advanced Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma: A Single-Center Retrospective Study."

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a highly heterogeneous myeloid malignancy in which early identification of high-risk patients is critical for timely referral to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Recently, a collaborative team led by Professor Zheng Ge of Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, and Professor Shuqian Xu of Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, published a study in Blood Cancer Journal entitled "BLAST demonstrates higher prognostic accuracy for survival than CPSS in Chinese patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia."

From July 10–12, 2026, the 10th Hematologic Malignancies Congress of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) was held in Harbin, China. Over the past decade, the meeting has grown into one of China's premier academic forums for hematologic oncology. This year's congress not only celebrated ten years of scientific achievement but also marked an important milestone for future innovation.

From July 3–4, 2026, the 2026 Best of Clinical Oncology (BOC) Academic Conference & Best of CSCO 2026 China was held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. This year's meeting marked the transformation of the former "BOA/BOC" conference into BOC, reflecting a significant shift in academic focus—from primarily introducing and interpreting international advances to highlighting China's own original oncology research.

Bridging expertise across continents to explore the future of cellular therapy, Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier hosted an in-depth conversation during the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress featuring Director Zhihui Li of Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital and Professor Yi Lin of the Mayo Clinic. Centered on the theme "CAR-T Manufacturing: Scientific Advances and Technological Innovation," the discussion examined key developments shaping the next generation of CAR-T therapy, including rapid manufacturing platforms, in vivo CAR-T technologies, novel CAR molecular designs, and the emerging issue of secondary malignancies. Together, the two experts outlined a compelling vision for improving CAR-T manufacturing, enhancing safety, and accelerating clinical translation.

As the Nordic summer welcomed the global hematology community, the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA 2026) Congress was held in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 11–14. During this year's meeting, the pediatric hematology team from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), led by Professor Xiaofan Zhu, presented five cutting-edge studies, including one oral presentation and four poster presentations.

At the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, Chinese investigators once again showcased their contributions to lymphoma research. Professor Haiwen Huang and colleagues from The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University presented two studies in the poster session. One employed Mendelian randomization to systematically investigate the causal relationship between genetically predicted viral infections and the risk of lymphoma across multiple subtypes. The other reported results from a Phase III multicenter trial evaluating a liposomal mitoxantrone hydrochloride-based CMOP±R regimen as first-line therapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

At the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, a multicenter study led by Professor Hu Xiaoxia's team from Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, was selected for an oral presentation and received the Young EHA Best Abstract Award. Addressing the longstanding challenge of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) management following antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-based allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), the investigators proposed an innovative strategy of early prophylactic rituximab. The study demonstrated that this approach significantly reduced the incidence of EBV infection and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) without compromising long-term immune reconstitution, representing a fundamental shift from reactive management to proactive prevention. During the congress, Hematology Frontier interviewed first author Dr. Zhang Ao to discuss the clinical rationale, mechanisms underlying the multiple clinical benefits, and future directions for optimizing this strategy.

The 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress in Stockholm has concluded, unveiling a series of important advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To help clinicians rapidly interpret the meeting's most impactful findings, the inaugural CSCO Leukemia Young Committee Perspectives webinar was held on June 14 through a collaboration between the CSCO Leukemia Youth Committee and Hematology Frontier. The program was chaired by Professor Qiu Shaowei, Chair of the CSCO Leukemia Committee Youth Group from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS). Joining the discussion were Professor Pei Shanzhan from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Liangzhu Laboratory, Professor Tang Feifei from Peking University People's Hospital, and Professor Cao Yigeng from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS). Together, they provided an in-depth review of the latest AML research presented at EHA 2026, highlighting its clinical significance and future implications.

Steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD) remains one of the greatest clinical challenges following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). At the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, Professor Song Qingxiao from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University presented an oral presentation reporting his team's latest discoveries on the pathogenesis of SR-aGVHD. The study demonstrated that 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) can restore steroid sensitivity by reshaping T-cell lineage metabolism, providing a novel strategy for pre-transplant risk stratification and individualized intervention. During the meeting, Hematology Frontier interviewed Professor Song to discuss the clinical significance of these findings and their potential to overcome one of the most difficult barriers in SR-aGVHD management.