As the Nordic summer welcomed the global hematology community, the 2026 European Hematology Association (EHA 2026) Congress was held in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 11–14. During this year's meeting, the pediatric hematology team from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), led by Professor Xiaofan Zhu, presented five cutting-edge studies, including one oral presentation and four poster presentations. At the congress, Hematology Frontier connected Professor Xiaofan Zhu, speaking from the domestic studio, with Dr. Jingliao Zhang, who joined live from the EHA venue in Stockholm. Together, they shared the team’s latest research achievements and offered timely insights into emerging advances in pediatric hematology.
Professor Xiaofan Zhu:
At this moment, hematology experts from around the world have gathered to exchange the latest advances in research and clinical practice. We are delighted that our Pediatric Hematology and Oncology team from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, has had five studies accepted at EHA 2026, including one oral presentation and four poster presentations.
Next, we will connect live with Dr. Jingliao Zhang, who is currently attending the EHA meeting in Stockholm. She will introduce these studies in detail and share the atmosphere from the congress. Dr. Zhang, could you first tell us about this year’s meeting?
Dr. Jingliao Zhang:
Thank you, Professor Zhu.
Greetings to all colleagues. I am reporting live from the EHA 2026 Congress in Stockholm.
The EHA Annual Congress has long been one of the most influential academic meetings in hematology. This year’s meeting is particularly impressive, bringing together nearly 20,000 hematology experts and researchers from around the world and featuring more than 100 scientific sessions covering the latest advances and future directions in the field.
On the opening day alone, numerous important findings were presented on bispecific antibodies, cellular therapies, and novel therapeutic agents, providing valuable insights into the evolving treatment landscape for hematologic malignancies.
Led by Professor Xiaofan Zhu, our Pediatric Hematology and Oncology team has prepared one oral presentation and four posters to share several of our latest research achievements in pediatric hematology. We sincerely appreciate EHA for providing such an outstanding international platform for scientific exchange.
Professor Xiaofan Zhu:
The academic atmosphere at the meeting is truly inspiring. Dr. Zhang, could you now walk us through the five studies presented by our team?
Study 1
Distinct Immune Diversity of CD8⁺ T Cells Defines Pediatric Hepatitis-Associated Aplastic Anemia and Severe Aplastic Anemia
Presentation Type: EHA Oral Presentation
First Author: Xuelian Cheng[Saut de retour à la ligne] Corresponding Authors: Lixian Chang, Xiaofan Zhu
Dr. Jingliao Zhang:
In the field of bone marrow failure research, our team employed single-cell transcriptomic sequencing to investigate the immune heterogeneity of CD8⁺ T cells in pediatric hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) and severe aplastic anemia (SAA).
Our findings revealed a distinctive immune diversity signature of CD8⁺ T cells that serves as an important biological marker for distinguishing HAAA from SAA in pediatric patients.
Study 2
Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Olverembatinib (HQP1351) Combined with Lisaftoclax (APG-2575) in Pediatric Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Ph+ ALL: Results of a Phase 1b Study
Presentation Type: EHA Poster
First Author: Jingliao Zhang Corresponding Author: Xiaofan Zhu
Dr. Jingliao Zhang:
In pediatric relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we presented the first clinical data from an ongoing Phase 1b study evaluating the combination of the third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) olverembatinib and the BCL-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax in children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) ALL.
The study aims to assess the regimen’s safety and preliminary efficacy in this high-risk population.
Study 3
Early Molecular Kinetics Predict Deep Molecular Response and Inform Frontline TKI Selection in Pediatric Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Real-world Multicenter Study
Presentation Type: EHA Poster
First Author: Wenbin An Corresponding Authors: Xiaofan Zhu, Wenyu Yang
Dr. Jingliao Zhang:
Our center led a multicenter retrospective real-world study in pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to evaluate the predictive value of early molecular kinetics.
The results demonstrated that minimal residual disease (MRD)-based molecular response can serve as an important guide for selecting first-line TKI therapy in pediatric CML.
Study 4
Belumosudil in Pediatric Patients with Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease
Presentation Type: EHA Poster
First Author: Lipeng Liu Corresponding Author: Wenyu Yang
Dr. Jingliao Zhang:
Our team analyzed the clinical efficacy of belumosudil in children with steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).
The findings demonstrated encouraging clinical activity, supporting the potential role of belumosudil in managing pediatric steroid-refractory cGVHD.
Study 5
Common Respiratory Virus Detection by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing in Pediatric Hematological Patients: A Stratified Analysis by HSCT Status and Underlying Disease
Presentation Type: EHA Poster
First Author: Changwen Xue Corresponding Authors: Xiaofan Zhu, Wenyu Yang
Dr. Jingliao Zhang:
In pediatric hematologic disorders, infectious complications vary considerably according to disease type and treatment.
Using targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS), our team conducted the first systematic analysis of common respiratory viral infections in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), those with hematologic malignancies, and those with benign hematologic diseases.
These findings provide an important foundation for future infection-based risk stratification and precision therapeutic strategies in pediatric hematology.
Professor Xiaofan Zhu:
Thank you, Dr. Zhang, for the excellent presentation.
These studies represent our team’s ongoing efforts across multiple areas of pediatric hematology, including childhood leukemia, bone marrow failure syndromes, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and post-transplant complication management.
We hope these findings will provide additional evidence to support both basic research and clinical practice in pediatric hematology and ultimately contribute to improving the care of children with hematologic diseases worldwide.
Thank you all for joining us.
Expert Profile
Professor Xiaofan Zhu
Chief Clinical Expert Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College
- Chief Physician
- Doctoral Supervisor
- Recipient of the State Council Special Government Allowance
- Distinguished Expert of Tianjin Municipality
- Chair, Pediatric Oncology Committee, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA)
- Vice Chair, Hematology Group, Chinese Society of Pediatrics, Chinese Medical Association (CMA)
- Vice Chair, National Health Commission Expert Committee on Childhood Leukemia
- Committee Member, Lymphoma Committee, Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
- Committee Member, Rare Diseases Branch, Chinese Medical Association
- Chair, CCCG-2025-ALL Scientific Committee, Chinese Childhood Cancer Group (CCCG)
- Editorial Board Member of the Chinese Journal of Pediatrics, Chinese Journal of Hematology, and Current Pediatric Reviews
- Recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the National Natural Science Award (Second Prize), the Soong Ching Ling Pediatric Medicine Award, the Five Continents Women’s Science & Technology Award, and the Tianjin Natural Science Award (First Prize).
