Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a crucial therapeutic option for a variety of benign and malignant hematological diseases. In recent years, the proportion of haploidentical transplants has been increasing due to advancements in the technology. From April 14 to 17, 2024, the 50th European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Annual Meeting was held in Glasgow, UK. The conference focused on the latest developments in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy, pushing forward better clinical prognoses for hematologic patients. At this EBMT Annual Meeting, Professor Huang He's team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine was selected for one invited report, five oral presentations, and fifteen posters. "Oncology Outlook - Hematology News" invited Dr. Yishan Ye  from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine to share insights and progress from his oral presentation on the study comparing haploidentical allo-HSCT with related/unrelated matched transplants, which potentially shows better prognostic outcomes.

In recent years, advancements in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) technology have significantly improved long-term survival rates, with about 80% of patients achieving disease-free survival for more than two years post-transplant. However, as time progresses, long-term survivors of transplantation still face the risk of chronic complications, which directly impact their quality of life and outcomes post-transplant. The 50th European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) annual meeting took place from April 14 to 17, 2024, in Glasgow, UK. At the meeting, Professor Rachel Phelan from the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, a specialist in blood and marrow transplantation, introduced the recently updated "International Guidelines for Screening and Prevention Measures for Long-Term Survivors of Transplant and Cell Therapy" (Bone Marrow Transplant. 2024 Feb 27. Epub ahead of print). Hematology News invited Professor Phelan to share and interpret the key updates of the guidelines with a broad readership.

Mucormycosis is a group of rare and highly invasive fungal diseases, and its combination with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation increases the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment. Previously, the difficulty in rapidly diagnosing mucormycosis often led to poor prognosis in patients with transplantation-associated mucormycosis. At the 50th European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Annual Meeting, Dr. Xu Fang from Professor Yue Lu 's team at Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital reported a recent clinical study that analyzed the characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with mucormycosis.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common and aggressive hematological malignancy with poor prognosis. For patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is one of the important treatment options. However, patients with R/R AML often face primary or secondary drug resistance and limited treatment options due to complications and physical condition, resulting in low re-induction remission rates. Therefore, selecting the appropriate chemotherapy regimen before transplantation to achieve deeper remission and secure better timing for transplantation, thereby optimizing the outcome of allo-SCT and extending patient survival, is a critical clinical issue. From April 14 to 17, 2024, the 50th European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Annual Meeting was held in Glasgow, UK, focusing on the latest advances in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy, and pushing forward better clinical outcomes for patients with hematological diseases and malignancies. In this issue, we are pleased to have Professor Jie Jin share her insights on the latest research in pre-transplant chemotherapy for patients with relapsed/refractory AML.

Relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presents one of the most formidable challenges in oncology, lacking a unified and efficient treatment strategy. Dr. Johannes Schetelig, Head of the Cell Therapy Unit at the Technical University of Dresden and Chair of the Clinical Trials Unit within the DKMS, offers invaluable insights into the complexities and evolving approaches in managing this condition. From the nuances of defining refractory AML at various stages to the critical decision-making involved in stem cell transplantation, Dr. Schetelig's expertise sheds light on current practices and future directions. This article delves into the multifaceted strategies for treating relapsed and refractory AML, focusing on patient suitability for stem cell transplantation, predictive clinical characteristics for better outcomes, and proactive measures to prevent relapse post-transplantation.