Hematology Frontier

In June 2024, Blood Science published a pivotal study led by Dr. Hui Wei from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , investigating the prognostic significance of serum albumin levels in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a highly aggressive hematological malignancy with outcomes influenced by various factors, including age, white blood cell count, and risk classification. Serum albumin, a critical component of blood, plays a role in maintaining colloid osmotic pressure and has been identified as a prognostic marker in various cancers, including AML.

In June 2024, Blood Science published a significant study led by Dr. Xiaohui Zhang and colleagues from the Peking University People's Hospital, focusing on the incidence and risk factors of engraftment syndrome (ES) following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in the era of plerixafor-based mobilization. ASCT remains a critical therapy for hematologic malignancies, particularly in lymphoma and plasma cell disease, despite advancements in other treatments. However, ES, characterized by non-infectious fever, skin rash, diarrhea, and other clinical manifestations, remains a common and concerning complication post-ASCT.

In June 2024, Blood Science published an important study led by Dr. Jie Jin and colleagues from the The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, investigating the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of ivosidenib in Chinese patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML, a heterogeneous and aggressive hematological malignancy, presents significant treatment challenges, especially in its relapsed or refractory stages. For patients with R/R AML, survival rates are dismal, with a median overall survival of approximately five months.

In April 2024, the journal Blood Science published an important study led by Dr. Gang An and colleagues from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, investigating the use of subcutaneous daratumumab in Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). Multiple myeloma is a challenging hematological malignancy characterized by the proliferation of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. Despite significant advances in treatment, many patients experience relapse or develop resistance to existing therapies, necessitating new and more effective approaches.

In June 2024, Blood Science published a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Hui Zeng and colleagues from the The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University , focusing on the role of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase 1 (HMGCS1) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a severe hematological malignancy characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature white blood cells, leading to significant dysfunction in the blood and bone marrow. Despite advancements in treatment, relapsed and refractory (RR) AML continues to pose a significant clinical challenge with a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic targets to enhance patient outcomes.

Relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma with extramedullary disease (EMD) represent some of the most formidable challenges in hematology. These conditions often carry a bleak prognosis due to their resistance to conventional therapies and the complex nature of extramedullary disease, where cancer cells spread outside the bone marrow. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape for these malignancies, offering hope where few options existed. However, even with CAR-T cell therapy, patients with EMD have experienced limited success, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to improve outcomes.

At this year’s European Hematology Association (EHA) conference, we had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Swaminathan P iyer, Professor of Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, about the groundbreaking phase I study on ELA26 for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Dr. Iyer shared the promising data from the treatment-naive cohort, which showed a remarkable 100% response rate by two months, offering new hope to patients dealing with this life-threatening complication. As HLH has a high mortality rate, with most patients unable to receive adequate malignancy treatment due to complications, this study opens new doors for future integration with chemotherapy.

In April 2024, the journal Blood Science published an important study led by Dr. Gang An and colleagues from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, investigating the use of subcutaneous daratumumab in Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). Multiple myeloma is a challenging hematological malignancy characterized by the proliferation of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. Despite significant advances in treatment, many patients experience relapse or develop resistance to existing therapies, necessitating new and more effective approaches.

In a recent Hematology Frontier interview, Dr. Michael Wang shared insights from the EHA Late Breaker Plenary Session, where the pivotal ECHO clinical trial was discussed. the study is leading to breakthroughs in lymphoma care. The promising combination of BR + Acalabrutinib shows potential to improve outcomes, especially for older patients. This could pave the way for better therapies globally!

From September 13th to 17th, the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Meeting was held in Barcelona, Spain. As one of the world's top oncology conferences, it brought together experts and scholars from across the globe to share cutting-edge research findings and discuss future directions. At the session dedicated to hematologic malignancies, Dr. Junyuan Qi from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, presented the first-in-human study of the BCL-2 inhibitor TQB3909 in relapsed or refractory (R/R) non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), showing promising results. Hematology Frontier invited Professor Qi to provide an in-depth analysis of the study and discuss the future clinical applications and research directions for this novel BCL-2 inhibitor.