Editor’s Note: The 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) was held from December 7 to 10 in San Diego, USA. As one of the foremost global gatherings in the field of hematology, this prestigious conference attracted the attention of clinicians and researchers worldwide, including a keen audience from China. To bring the latest and most significant updates from the conference to readers promptly, Oncology Frontier - Hematology Frontier launched a special daily column titled ASH News Broadcast · Highlights of the Day. Hosted by Dr. Jun Zhu from Peking University Cancer Hospital, the series connects with on-site experts to deliver firsthand insights. We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Qian Jiang from Peking University People's Hospital, who shared her thoughts on the key highlights and standout presentations.

Dr. Jun Zhu: Good day, Professor Jiang! Could you give us an overview of today’s conference proceedings? What were some of the most notable highlights that caught your attention?

• Dr. Qian Jiang:Thank you, Professor Zhu. It’s a pleasure to connect from the bustling venue here in San Diego and share some of the key insights from today (December 7).
• This morning, there was an educational session on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) focusing on the integration of genetic mutations and measurable residual disease (MRD) data. The session featured presentations by three distinguished experts—Jerald Radich, Michael Heuser, and Courtney DiNardo—each discussing MRD detection methods and its critical role in AML management from different perspectives.
• What stood out to me in particular was the presentation by Professor Jerald Radich. I had the opportunity to study with him in Seattle, where his laboratory conducts cutting-edge work across several hematologic malignancies, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), AML, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). His lab serves as a central hub for numerous international multicenter clinical trials and is also one of the three major international reference laboratories for CML.
• During his talk, Professor Radich delved into the optimal use of MRD for tailoring treatment strategies for AML patients. He also explored how the evolving mutation landscape during treatment can illuminate MRD’s clinical utility and the key biological features of leukemia.
• He emphasized the remarkable heterogeneity of AML. As research progresses, we now understand the diverse molecular genetic profiles of AML, allowing us to classify patients into distinct prognostic subgroups. However, even within the same subgroup, patients can exhibit varied genetic characteristics and treatment outcomes.
• So, how can we help these patients achieve better treatment outcomes? MRD emerges as a crucial indicator. It represents tumor burden and reflects the sensitivity of leukemia cells to therapy. Patients with low or undetectable MRD levels often experience better long-term disease control and improved survival. However, it’s worth noting that some patients with MRD-negative status still relapse later. Conversely, patients with persistently high MRD levels or a resurgence of MRD after initial undetectable levels face a high likelihood of disease relapse.
• Professor Radich also provided a detailed discussion of MRD detection methods, including traditional approaches like flow cytometry (FCM) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), as well as emerging technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS). Each method has its strengths and limitations—while FCM and NGS offer broader detection capabilities, their sensitivity is relatively lower compared to qPCR. On the other hand, qPCR is highly sensitive but less comprehensive. His nuanced comparison of these methods across different hematologic diseases was incredibly insightful and beneficial for all attendees.
• As clinicians, we must stay attuned to the dynamic nature of MRD. It’s not enough to track a molecular characteristic identified at initial diagnosis; these features can disappear, and new clones can emerge at relapse. Anchoring solely on an initial fusion gene or mutation could lead to missed insights. Professor Radich illustrated this point with numerous examples, emphasizing the importance of reevaluating patients at relapse to guide clinical decisions effectively.
• Educational sessions like these at ASH may not always present the very latest research, but they provide a comprehensive and well-rounded perspective. Delivered by seasoned experts, these sessions blend clinical data with practical insights, offering immense value. For those unable to attend the conference in person, I highly recommend watching the session recordings afterward—it’s an invaluable resource for understanding the disease comprehensively.

Dr. Jun Zhu:Thank you, Professor Jiang, for this fantastic update. Your vivid recount of the conference highlights not only brings us closer to the lively academic atmosphere here at ASH but also underscores the significant clinical implications of genetic mutations and MRD in AML. Your insights are tremendously enlightening and will surely benefit clinicians back home. Thank you again!

Dr. Qian Jiang

• Vice President, Peking University People’s Hospital Qingdao Branch
• Director, Hematology Center
• Deputy Director, Hematology Department, Peking University People’s Hospital
• Senior Physician, Professor, MD, PhD Supervisor

Professor Jiang graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Beijing Medical University (now Peking University Health Science Center). She serves as a National Representative on the International CML Foundation Committee, a member of the International Association for Comparative Research on Leukemia and Related Diseases, and holds leadership positions in various national hematology societies and committees.

Dr. Jun Zhu

• Secretary of the Party Committee, Peking University Cancer Hospital
• Director, Department of Internal Medicine & Lymphoma Department

Professor Zhu holds prominent positions in numerous national and international oncology and hematology societies, including Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO).