Hematology Frontier

The warm summer in Harbin was matched by a surge of medical wisdom. The 8th Hematology  Academic Conference of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), hosted by the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology and Peking University Cancer Hospital, was held from July 26 to 28, 2024, in Harbin. This grand event brought together many top experts and scholars from both domestic and international fields, showcasing the latest research results and clinical experiences in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Hematology Frontier had the privilege of inviting Dr. Tiejun Gong from the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology to share his unique insights and experiences from this conference, highlight the key expert guidelines, and discuss the standout content of the Northeast Hematologic Oncology Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment session.

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), a group of indolent mature B-cell lymphomas, presents a significant challenge in treatment selection due to its high heterogeneity. Despite improvements in survival rates for MZL patients with the advent of new drugs and advancements in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, developing a balanced management plan that addresses both efficacy and safety across a long disease course and lifetime management remains an urgent issue. At the recent "8th Academic Conference on Hematologic Oncology" organized by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), Dr. Huilai Zhang from Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital delivered a compelling presentation titled "Current Status and Treatment Progress for Chinese Patients with Marginal Zone Lymphoma." This report offers valuable insights and forward-looking guidance for comprehensively understanding the current state of MZL diagnosis and treatment in China and mastering the latest developments in the field. This article summarizes the key points of Professor Zhang's presentation for our readers.

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), a group of indolent mature B-cell lymphomas, presents a significant challenge in treatment selection due to its high heterogeneity. Despite improvements in survival rates for MZL patients with the advent of new drugs and advancements in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, developing a balanced management plan that addresses both efficacy and safety across a long disease course and lifetime management remains an urgent issue. At the recent "8th Academic Conference on Hematologic Oncology" organized by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), Dr. Huilai Zhang from Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital delivered a compelling presentation titled "Current Status and Treatment Progress for Chinese Patients with Marginal Zone Lymphoma." This report offers valuable insights and forward-looking guidance for comprehensively understanding the current state of MZL diagnosis and treatment in China and mastering the latest developments in the field. This article summarizes the key points of Professor Zhang's presentation for our readers.

In January 2023, a review by Professor Tao Cheng  from Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College was published in the international academic journal ——Blood Science . The title of the study is "Spatially resolved transcriptomics: advances and applications". This review summarizes the interplay between technological innovation and biological discovery continues to push the boundaries of what was previously imaginable, translating our approach to complex biological systems and disease pathology.

Recently, the Blood Transfusion Department at The First Hospital of Handan in Hebei Province identified an extremely rare B subtype blood type. This blood type results from a heterozygous mutation in exon 7 of the ABO allele, specifically c.449A>G, making it even rarer than the well-known "Panda Blood" (Rh-negative blood).

In the evolving field of hematology and oncology, addressing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is crucial. A recent study highlighting AML relapse as pericardial effusion marks significant progress in this area. Led by Professor Sizhou Feng from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, this research underscores innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

In the dynamic field of hematology and oncology, finding effective treatments for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is crucial. A recent study led by Professor Shuhua Yi from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College,  has made significant strides in this area. This research analyzed first- and second-line therapies in 377 patients with WM, demonstrating that sequential treatment escalation markedly improves survival rates. By transitioning from cytotoxic drugs to rituximab, bortezomib, or Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors, patients saw significant benefits. These findings, presented at a major medical conference, underscore the collaborative effort and innovation driving progress in hematology and improving patient outcomes.

In the dynamic field of hematology and oncology, the development of innovative treatments for challenging conditions such as relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r B-ALL) remains a critical priority. In this commentary, the recent phase 2 clinical trial investigating the efficacy of sequential CD19 and CD22 CAR T-cell therapies represents a significant advancement in the therapeutic landscape. Professor Kailin Xu from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, along with esteemed colleagues, offers new hope for patients facing this aggressive malignancy. He highlighted the findings of this pioneering research, published in the Lancet Oncology, which reported not only the potential of sequential CD19 and CD22 CAR T-cell therapy as a viable treatment option, but also the collaborative effort and expertise that exemplify the spirit of innovation in the field.

Despite significant improvements in the survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients over the past two decades, thanks to the emergence of new drugs and therapies, the prognosis for those not eligible for bone marrow transplantation remains relatively poor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new treatment options to improve their outcomes. At the recently held 29th Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA 2024), Professor Thierry Facon, a member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and from the University of Lille, CHU Lille, Service des Maladies du Sang, Lille, France, presented the key findings of the IMROZ study in an oral report. This study explored the efficacy of isatuximab combined with the VRD regimen (Isa-VRD) in treating newly diagnosed MM patients not suitable for transplantation, and the results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in early June this year. "Oncology Frontier-Hematology Frontier" specially invited Professor Thierry Facon to share the important findings and significance of the IMROZ study at the venue.