Blood Podcast

In this week’s episode, we will review a study that cell-free hemoglobin S was found to induce high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine production in monocytes. The effect is mediated by Toll-like receptor 4, or TLR4, suggesting intriguing therapeutic possibilities for sickle cell disease.  Secondly, germinal center B cells with aberrant expression profiles undergo independent clonal evolution in the microenvironment of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. New findings published in Blood elucidate mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and uncover a new potential target for treatment. Finally, an upfront combination of three immunosuppressive agents was highly effective and well tolerated in patients with acquired hemophilia A. Although prospective studies are needed, the triple regimen could be an attractive treatment option, particularly for elderly and frail patients.

In this week’s episode we’ll discuss the role of epigenetic regulator genes in lineage switching in MLL/AF4 leukemia, learn more about the efficacy of ibrutinib in mantle cell lymphoma with central nervous system relapse, and discuss the findings from a phase 3 trial of gilteritinib plus azacitidine in patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated AML.

Megakaryocytes contribute to multiple processes in the body, including platelet production and regulation of hematopoietic stem cells. Therefore, it is not surprising that alterations in this lineage not only affect platelets but also impact hematopoiesis in other ways. Fortunately, our understanding of megakaryocyte biology has increased significantly with the advent of advanced technologies such as next-generation sequencing and sophisticated microscopy.Blood Review Series on Megakaryopoiesis and Platelet Production

In this week’s episode we will review data showing that lenalidomide promotes development of TP53-mutated, therapy-related myeloid neoplasms. Next, we'll discuss the first prospective study to evaluate abnormal uterine bleeding in women starting anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism. Lastly, we'll review an optimized tri-specific antibody that overcomes immune escape and enhances therapeutic efficacy in a patient-derived xenograft model of B-cell ALL.

In this week’s episode we’ll learn more about the prognostic impact of NPM1 and FLT3 mutations in AML, discuss the progression and survival of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, and learn more about the use of red blood cells derived from pluripotent stem cells in transfusion medicine.

In this week’s episode we'll review results of the largest retrospective study to date of allogeneic transplantation in adult patients with inborn errors of immunity. We’ll then discuss intriguing new research demonstrating that erythroblastic islands in the bone marrow foster granulopoiesis alongside terminal erythropoiesis—which lays a foundation for better understanding how blood cell production is regulated within these niches.

In this week’s episode we’ll learn more about the negative findings from the phase three trial of ticagrelor for preventing vaso-occlusive crises in children with sickle cell disease, discuss how residual cytoplasmic UBA1 contributes to the pathogenesis of VEXAS syndrome, and learn more about the impact of host T-cell immunity in the response to chemotherapy in pediatric ALL.

In this week’s episode we’ll take a quick look at the latest European Leukemia Net recommendations for the diagnosis and management of acute myeloid leukemia. We’ll also describe a comprehensive analysis of a phase 3 trial indicating that MRD is a strong outcome predictor over the entire natural history of mantle cell lymphoma, setting the stage for potential risk stratification tools that may be suitable for MRD-guided treatment. We'll also look at a large US registry study demonstrating that black patients with idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura had a shorter time to relapse and less response to rituximab compared to white patients. These findings suggest a potential need for closer monitoring, early retreatment, and alternative treatments.

In this bonus episode, we’re delighted to have Dr. Dan Arber from the University of Chicago and Dr. Elias Campo from the University of Barcelona. With members of the Clinical Advisory Committee, Drs. Arber and Campo led efforts to develop the new International Consensus Classification for what we refer to as the ICC.

In this week’s episode we’ll discuss the efficacy of tranexamic acid prophylaxis in patients with hematological malignancies, learn more about N-glycosylation as a therapeutic vulnerability in CALR-mutant MPN, and discuss how early initiation of disease-modifying therapy may be able to reduce myocardial fibrosis in sickle cell anemia.