EHA Reflections | Hematology Frontier | Young EHA Best Abstract Award: Professor Hu Xiaoxia and Dr. Zhang Ao Move the Frontline Forward with a Proactive Strategy for Post-Transplant EBV Management

EHA Reflections | Hematology Frontier | Young EHA Best Abstract Award: Professor Hu Xiaoxia and Dr. Zhang Ao Move the Frontline Forward with a Proactive Strategy for Post-Transplant EBV Management

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.
EHA Reflections | Hematology Frontier | Professor Song Qingxiao: Breaking New Ground Through Cellular Metabolism—7-Ketocholesterol Offers a Precision Strategy for Steroid-Refractory Acute GVHD

EHA Reflections | Hematology Frontier | Professor Song Qingxiao: Breaking New Ground Through Cellular Metabolism—7-Ketocholesterol Offers a Precision Strategy for Steroid-Refractory Acute GVHD

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.
APPLE 2026 | Academician Jia Fan Invites You to APPLE 2026 in Shanghai: Witness China’s Growing Global Leadership in Liver Cancer and Explore AI-Driven Innovation 

APPLE 2026 | Academician Jia Fan Invites You to APPLE 2026 in Shanghai: Witness China’s Growing Global Leadership in Liver Cancer and Explore AI-Driven Innovation 

From July 3–5, 2026, the 16th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2026) will be held in Shanghai. Initiated by the Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Association (APPLE), supported by the Shanghai Xinxin Medical Technology Development Foundation, and hosted by Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, the meeting will focus on the theme "Frontiers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer in the Era of Artificial Intelligence." Bringing together leading liver cancer experts from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and North America, APPLE 2026 will explore emerging strategies for liver cancer prevention and treatment. Following previous editions in 2012 and 2022, this marks the third time APPLE has been hosted in Shanghai, highlighting China's remarkable progress in healthcare, scientific research, and innovation over the past decade. Ahead of the meeting, Oncology Frontier spoke with Congress President Academician Jia Fan of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, who reflected on APPLE's evolution, discussed the changing role of Chinese liver cancer specialists on the global stage, and shared his vision for how artificial intelligence (AI) will transform liver cancer care. Stay tuned for this landmark event.
ASCO 2026 | Prof. Li Mao: Ensartinib’s Global Strategy in the Intensifying ALK+ NSCLC Landscape

ASCO 2026 | Prof. Li Mao: Ensartinib’s Global Strategy in the Intensifying ALK+ NSCLC Landscape

On-site at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the targeted therapy landscape for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is witnessing intense competition, with multiple frontline updates from cutting-edge studies reshaping the global dynamics. As a pioneering Chinese homegrown innovative drug making its way onto the world stage, how can ensartinib—Betta Pharmaceuticals' proprietary ALK inhibitor—demonstrate its core value amidst formidable international rivals? MediaMedic had the privilege of an exclusive on-site interview with Professor Li Mao, President of R&D and Chief Medical Officer at Betta Pharmaceuticals, a seasoned leader deeply engaged in precision oncology, to deconstruct ensartinib's distinctive pathway to differentiation and global breakthrough. ADD HASHTAGS
ASCO 2026 | Prof. Xiaotian Zhang and Prof. Yelena Janjigian: The DESTINY-Gastric Program Reshapes HER2-Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer as Chinese and U.S. Experts Discuss the Next Chapter

ASCO 2026 | Prof. Xiaotian Zhang and Prof. Yelena Janjigian: The DESTINY-Gastric Program Reshapes HER2-Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer as Chinese and U.S. Experts Discuss the Next Chapter

The landmark results of the DESTINY-Gastric04 (DG04) trial have firmly established trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) as the missing piece in second-line HER2-targeted treatment for gastric cancer. At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, the DESTINY-Gastric03 (DG03) study was also unveiled, highlighting the promising potential of T-DXd in the first-line setting. As T-DXd moves from later-line therapy toward frontline treatment for HER2-positive gastric cancer, an increasing number of patients stand to benefit.
EHA 2026 Authoritative Release: Major Update of CLL and Richter Transformation Guidelines, Opening a New Era of Precision and Fixed-Duration Therapy 

EHA 2026 Authoritative Release: Major Update of CLL and Richter Transformation Guidelines, Opening a New Era of Precision and Fixed-Duration Therapy 

At the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Meeting, experts including Professor Paolo Ghia from Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Professor Barbara Eichhorst from the University Hospital of Cologne, and Professor Elżbieta Kalicińska from Wroclaw Medical University jointly released and interpreted the latest version of the "EHA Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Richter Transformation (RT)". This update not only incorporates data from multiple cutting-edge targeted studies but also includes "Richter Transformation" in the title for the first time, aiming to provide a more practical clinical pathway for hematologists worldwide.
Breaking the Stalemate in CALR-Mutated Myelofibrosis: INCA033989 Demonstrates Deep Disease-Modifying Potential and Bone Marrow Morphological Improvement 

Breaking the Stalemate in CALR-Mutated Myelofibrosis: INCA033989 Demonstrates Deep Disease-Modifying Potential and Bone Marrow Morphological Improvement 

At the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress, Professor Claire Harrison from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, shared the latest research data on the mutation-specific monoclonal antibody INCA033989 (hereinafter referred to as "989") for the treatment of calreticulin (CALR)-mutated myelofibrosis (MF) patients. This study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of this first-in-class drug in monotherapy and combination regimens, providing a new path for precision treatment in this specific subpopulation of CALR-mutated patients.
Targeting the 8 kPa Prognostic Threshold: EBMT-EHA Thalassemia Gene Therapy Guideline Update Strengthens Precise Liver Risk Assessment 

Targeting the 8 kPa Prognostic Threshold: EBMT-EHA Thalassemia Gene Therapy Guideline Update Strengthens Precise Liver Risk Assessment 

At the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Meeting, Professor Giuseppe De Franceschi from the University of Verona, Italy, representing the joint working group of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and EHA, delivered an in-depth interpretation of the latest update to the "Guidelines for Patient Selection for Gene Therapy in Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia (TDT)." This guideline update aims to integrate the latest clinical evidence from gene addition and gene editing technologies to provide standardized patient screening and follow-up pathways for hematologists worldwide.
ASCO China Voice | World’s First HOPE-07 Trial Launched: Disitamab Vedotin–Based Combination Poised to Redefine Perioperative Management of HER2-Expressing MIBC 

ASCO China Voice | World’s First HOPE-07 Trial Launched: Disitamab Vedotin–Based Combination Poised to Redefine Perioperative Management of HER2-Expressing MIBC 

Following the clinical success and approval of disitamab vedotin (RC48) plus toripalimab in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, attention has shifted toward improving outcomes for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in the perioperative setting, where substantial unmet clinical needs remain.
ASCO 2026 | Prof. Pedro C. Barata: Safety and Dosimetry Results of TLX591 (¹⁷⁷Lu-rosopatamab tetraxetan) in mCRPC 

ASCO 2026 | Prof. Pedro C. Barata: Safety and Dosimetry Results of TLX591 (¹⁷⁷Lu-rosopatamab tetraxetan) in mCRPC 

The 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting once again brought together the latest advances in cancer research from around the world. Among the most closely watched areas was radioligand therapy (RLT) for prostate cancer. During the meeting, the ProstACT Global 3 study team presented the first Part 1 results from its Phase III trial, focusing on the safety and dosimetry of TLX591 (¹⁷⁷Lu-rosopatamab tetraxetan). These findings provide early evidence supporting the feasibility of integrating TLX591 with standard-of-care treatment for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), while also demonstrating encouraging preliminary efficacy signals.