Hematology Frontier

From December 7 to 10, 2024, the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) convened in San Diego, bringing together leading experts to discuss pivotal advances in hematology. Among the highlights was a groundbreaking study by Dr. Shanshan Pei and his team from The First Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University and Liangzhu Laboratory. This study (Abstract #38), selected for oral presentation, identified the rare fusion gene TFG-ROS1 as an oncogenic driver in human myeloid leukemia. Furthermore, the team demonstrated effective treatment strategies using ALK/ROS1 inhibitors, achieving remission in a patient with refractory leukemia after multiple treatment failures. This study exemplifies the “bench-to-bedside” paradigm in precision medicine, showcasing its transformative potential for cancer care. Below is an in-depth exploration of the study and exclusive insights from Professor Pei.

From December 7 to 10, 2024, the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) was held in San Diego, USA. Experts and scholars from around the globe gathered to discuss and exchange insights on the latest research in hematology. During the conference, Dr. Bing Han from Peking Union Medical College provided an on-site review of two significant studies from the Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party (EBMT-SAAWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Professor Han also shared in-depth analyses of key research topics presented at the meeting. These highlights are summarized below for our readers.

In recent years, the field of hematologic malignancies has witnessed numerous groundbreaking advancements, with Chinese researchers making increasingly significant contributions, particularly in the area of cellular therapy. Their work has greatly accelerated both academic development and clinical practice in this domain. As we step into the new year, Hematology Frontier has invited Dr. Wenbin Qian from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine to provide an in-depth review of CAR-T cell therapy for B-cell lymphoma, summarizing approved CAR-T products, clinical trial data, real-world outcomes, and ongoing challenges. Additionally, this discussion explores strategies for enhancing CAR-T therapy, including novel targets, dual-target CAR-T designs, and gene-editing improvements, aiming to offer valuable insights for clinical practice and future research directions.

Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, imposes a significant economic and resource burden on patients, families, and society at large. In recent years, advances in medical research have led to a growing range of treatment options for thalassemia, including traditional blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, drugs to induce gamma-globin production, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and emerging approaches like gene and cell therapies, as well as nanomedicine. Among these, gene therapy has garnered particular attention as a potential cure, offering renewed hope to patients worldwide.

Significant progress has been made in the treatment of T-cell lymphomas in recent years. However, challenges persist in managing relapsed/refractory disease, selecting optimal therapies, and determining the best treatment sequencing for patients. To address these issues, the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting featured an educational session titled Addressing Unmet Needs in T-Cell Lymphomas. This session brought together leading experts to provide insights and practical guidance based on the latest research and clinical experiences. Hematology Frontier had the privilege of speaking with session chair Dr. Neha Mehta-Shah from Washington University’s Siteman Cancer Center. In this discussion, she shared her perspectives on unmet needs, treatment strategies for relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), innovative therapies, and the role of autologous and allogeneic transplants in PTCL.

Editor’s Note: Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer being the most common molecular subtype. In recent years, targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) have propelled this subtype into the era of precision medicine. Looking back at 2024, what breakthroughs and conceptual shifts have occurred in the systemic treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer? Oncology Frontier invited Academician Binghe Xu from the Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering to provide an overview and summary.

In 2024, significant progress was made in the field of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), bringing new insights and advancements to clinical practice. These studies covered innovations in treatment approaches, evaluations of drug efficacy, and a deeper understanding of the biological characteristics of these diseases. These findings are crucial for advancing precision medicine in pediatric leukemia and improving patient outcomes.

In 2024, the field of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) witnessed significant breakthroughs in research and clinical advancements. From the development of novel therapeutic agents to the optimization of treatment strategies, from studies on treatment discontinuation to deeper explorations into disease mechanisms, these findings have expanded treatment options and brought new hope to patients. As we step into the new year, Hematology Frontier has invited Dr. Qian Jiang from Peking University People's Hospital to review the key research progress in CML over the past year, particularly focusing on breakthrough findings presented at the ASH and EHA Annual Meetings. Additionally, Jiang shares insights from her team’s clinical experience in CML management and offers a perspective on future directions, aiming to provide new insights for clinical practice and long-term patient care strategies.

In recent years, the field of hematologic malignancies has witnessed remarkable breakthroughs, with Chinese researchers making increasingly significant contributions, particularly in cellular therapy. Their work has played a crucial role in advancing both scientific progress and clinical practice. As we step into the new year, Hematology Frontier has invited Dr. Huilai Zhang from Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital to provide an in-depth review of the current landscape and key developments in follicular lymphoma in 2024. This comprehensive analysis aims to offer valuable insights for clinical practice and future research directions.