Hematology Frontier

Relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains one of the major barriers to long-term survival in acute leukemia. With the rapid development of targeted therapies, hypomethylating agents, and immunotherapies such as CAR-T, salvage treatment options have expanded considerably. As a result, more patients are now able to achieve remission again and proceed to subsequent consolidation strategies.

In real-world clinical practice, a considerable proportion of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are unable to tolerate autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) due to advanced age, comorbidities, or poor performance status, creating an urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. On February 27, 2026, a research paper entitled Phase II Study of BCMA Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Ineligible for or Not Proceeding to Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation (CAREMM-001) by a Chinese research team was published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (IF=43.4). This study provides the first prospective clinical evidence for the field, confirming that the upfront application of B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy as first-line treatment for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are ineligible for or not proceeding to transplantation—including those with high-risk disease—achieves an impressive 100% minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate and a 94.4% complete response rate (CRR) with a favorable safety profile. This novel therapeutic approach is expected to establish a new paradigm for MM treatment. This article summarizes the key findings of this landmark study for clinical reference.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematologic malignancy. Approximately 20–30% of AML patients harbor FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations. FLT3-ITD is a major driver mutation in AML and typically arises as a late genetic event during leukemogenesis, often coexisting with mutations in NPM1, DNMT3A, WT1, and others. Although FLT3-ITD is generally associated with poor prognosis, substantial variability in clinical outcomes has been observed among FLT3-ITD–positive patients. Previous studies have largely focused on the molecular characteristics of FLT3-ITD itself, while the impact of its clonal origin on prognosis has been underexplored. Moreover, the key genetic evolutionary mechanisms driving resistance during progression from newly diagnosed disease to relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML remain incompletely understood.

From November 6 to 9, 2025, the China Conference on Holistic and Integrative Oncology (CCHIO 2025) was grandly convened in Kunming. As one of China’s largest and most influential oncology meetings, the conference gathered many leading national and international oncology experts to explore the latest advances and future directions in cancer prevention and treatment through the lens of integrative medicine. The event provided a high-level platform for strengthening China’s cancer diagnosis and treatment system.

mmunotherapy field, enhance communication on key scientific issues, share the latest clinical advances, and foster global collaboration and translational progress, the 2025 International Cell & Immunotherapy Congress (CTI 2025)—jointly organized by Zhejiang University, the International Academy for Clinical Hematology (IACH), Zhejiang Immunological Society and Zhejiang Anti-Cancer Association—was held on November 13–16, 2025 in Hangzhou, China, and co-hosted by the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the Liangzhu Laboratory.

From January 16 to 18, 2026, the Working Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Expert Committee and the 2026 CSCO Academic Conference on Hematologic Malignancies were held in Haikou, China. During the meeting, Professor Honghu Zhu of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, provided a comprehensive overview of the current challenges of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in acute leukemia, the evolution of transplant indications in the era of novel agents, and future optimization strategies. His insights offered important guidance for clinicians seeking to refine treatment approaches.

With continuous technological iteration in CAR-T cell therapy, fourth-generation CAR-T is increasingly demonstrating substantial clinical potential. From January 9 to 11, 2026, the 6th China Hematology Discipline Development Conference (CASH) was grandly held in Tianjin. The meeting brought together leading hematology experts from China and abroad, focusing on cutting-edge advances and national health strategy priorities, fostering in-depth academic exchange and exploration of new directions in the field.

From January 16 to 18, 2026, the Working Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Expert Committee and the 2026 CSCO Academic Conference on Hematologic Malignancies were held in Haikou, China. During the meeting, Professor Bing Xu of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University systematically outlined a comprehensive new framework for follicular lymphoma (FL), spanning precision risk stratification, therapeutic decision-making, and future research directions. His presentation provided valuable guidance for clinicians seeking to optimize treatment strategies and anticipate future developments in the field.

Aplastic anemia (AA) is an immune-mediated bone marrow failure syndrome that poses significant clinical challenges due to marked patient heterogeneity, a high proportion of relapsed or refractory cases, and limited options for precision-based interventions. From January 9 to 11, 2026, the 6th China Hematology Discipline Development Conference (CASH) was grandly held in Tianjin. The conference brought together leading hematology experts from China and abroad, focusing on cutting-edge scientific advances and national health strategy priorities, fostering in-depth academic exchange and exploration of future directions in the field.

The “Tianjin Model” of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a distinctive transplant system that integrates standardization, precision, and innovation. It has been progressively developed through nearly four decades of continuous exploration and generational knowledge transfer at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (also known as the Tianjin Institute of Hematology).