The highly anticipated 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) will take place in San Diego, USA, from December 7 to 10, 2024. Renowned as one of the largest and most comprehensive international academic events in hematology, the ASH Annual Meeting serves as a premier platform for advancing the frontiers of the discipline. This global gathering attracts thousands of experts and scholars who come together to exchange cutting-edge research and breakthroughs in the field.

In recent years, China has made remarkable strides in hematology, gaining recognition on the global academic stage. This year, Chinese researchers stand out with over 70 studies selected for oral presentations, among which eight are from Dr. He Huang’s team at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. These achievements highlight not only the growing recognition of China’s hematology research but also its rising influence in the global academic landscape. Below, we present summaries of these eight studies, along with their presentation times, offering a glimpse into the excellence of Chinese experts on the international stage.

Oral Presentation 1

Session: Myeloid Malignancies—Basic Mechanisms: Cellular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

• Abstract #38
• Title: The TFG-ROS1 Fusion Is an Oncogenic Driver of Human Myeloid Leukemia
• Lead Author: Jie Sun (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University)
• Corresponding Author: Shanshan Pei (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 7, 2024, at 9:45 AM (local time)
• Location: Room 6A, San Diego Convention Center

Key Findings: The TFG-ROS1 fusion gene regulates the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, establishing itself as a rare but reproducible oncogenic driver in human leukemia. This fusion protein demonstrates high sensitivity to ALK/ROS1 inhibitors, making it a promising therapeutic target.

Oral Presentation 2

Session: Cellular Immunotherapy: Early Clinical Trials and Toxicities

• Abstract #91
• Title: Rituximab, Lenalidomide, and Zanubrutinib (ZR2) with Sequential CAR-T Cell as First-Line Therapy for High-Risk Large B Cell Lymphoma
• Lead Author: Mingming Zhang (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University)
• Corresponding Author: He Huang (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 7, 2024, at 9:30 AM (local time)
• Location: Marriott Grand Ballroom 11–13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Key Findings: ZR2 sequential CAR-T therapy provides a novel, chemotherapy-free treatment for newly diagnosed high-risk large B cell lymphoma (LBCL). This approach demonstrates high complete response (CR) rates, long-term survival benefits, and low toxicity.

Oral Presentation 3

Session: Allogeneic Transplantation: Acute and Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease and Immune Reconstitution

• Abstract #97
• Title: JAK/ROCK Inhibitor Rovadicitinib for Glucocorticoid-Refractory or -Dependent Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: Updated Results of a Multicenter Phase 1b/2a Trial
• Lead Author: Yanmin Zhao (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Corresponding Author: He Huang (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 7, 2024, at 9:30 AM (local time)
• Location: Ballroom 20CD, San Diego Convention Center

Key Findings: Rovadicitinib exhibits good tolerability and high clinical response rates in glucocorticoid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) patients, significantly improving quality of life while reducing steroid dependency. A Phase III randomized registration study is forthcoming.

Oral Presentation 4

Session: Granulocytes, Monocytes, and Macrophages

• Abstract #420
• Title: A Single-Cell Transcriptomic Atlas of Cytokine Storm in CAR-T Therapy, COVID-19, and SLE
• Lead Author: Xia Li (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Corresponding Author: He Huang (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 8, 2024, at 10:45 AM (local time)
• Location: Grand Hall D, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Key Findings: This study presents a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic analysis of cytokine storms across CAR-T therapy, COVID-19, and SLE. The findings reveal distinct and shared immunological features, identifying potential therapeutic targets for managing this high-inflammatory complication.

Oral Presentation 5

Session: Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Progenitors: Hematopoiesis

• Abstract #438
• Title: SNORD113-114 Cluster Maintains Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal via Orchestrating the Translation Machinery
• Lead Author: Hui Wang (Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Corresponding Author: Pengxu Qian (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 8, 2024, at 10:45 AM (local time)
• Location: Room 7, San Diego Convention Center

Key Findings: The SNORD113-114 snoRNA cluster plays a critical role in maintaining hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homeostasis. Its loss disrupts cell cycle regulation, rRNA processing, and translation, leading to nucleolar stress and apoptosis.

Oral Presentation 6

Session: Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiology

• Abstract #843
• Title: The Mutated KRAS Gene Determines the Fate of KMT2A-Rearranged AML Patients
• Lead Author: Yibo Wu (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University)
• Corresponding Author: Yi Luo (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 9, 2024, at 3:15 PM (local time)
• Location: Grand Hall C, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Key Findings: KRAS mutations are identified as an independent prognostic factor for poor outcomes in KMT2A-rearranged AML patients, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic strategies for this high-risk subgroup.

Oral Presentation 7

Session: Allogeneic Transplantation: Acute and Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease and Immune Reconstitution

• Abstract #1044
• Title: Low-Dose Ruxolitinib for GvHD Prophylaxis in Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
• Lead Author: Hengwei Wu (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University)
• Corresponding Author: Yanmin Zhao (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 9, 2024, at 5:45 PM (local time)
• Location: Room 6B, San Diego Convention Center

Key Findings: Incorporating low-dose ruxolitinib into standard prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of acute GVHD while maintaining comparable overall survival (OS) and platelet engraftment rates.

Oral Presentation 8

Session: Cellular Immunotherapy: Early Clinical Trials and Toxicities

• Abstract #921
• Title: A Novel Generation of Anti-CD7 Universal CAR-T Therapy for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory CD7-Positive T-ALL/LBL: A Phase I Clinical Trial
• Lead Author: Yongxian Hu (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Corresponding Author: He Huang (Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Liangzhu Laboratory)
• Presentation Time: December 9, 2024, at 3:15 PM (local time)
• Location: Hall B, San Diego Convention Center

Key Findings: The RD13-02 “off-the-shelf” CAR-T product demonstrated controllable safety and enhanced efficacy for relapsed/refractory CD7-positive T-ALL/LBL patients, achieving a 100% complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi) rate.