Blood Podcast

In this week's episode, we'll hear about how researchers look toward the lung, and find uniquely programmed blood stem cells. This study is the first to fully characterize hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the adult human lung. After that: researchers develop a neural network-based probabilistic classifier, DLBclass, that assigns all diffuse large B-cell lymphomas into one of five genetic subtypes. It’s an inclusive taxonomy that they say provides actionable genetic information in almost all patients with DLBCL. Finally, new insights on NETS, or neutrophil extracellular traps. In the liver vasculature, NET removal leads to secondary inflammation, resulting in new waves of NETS that may impact future infection. We’ll review these and other findings from this recent mouse model study.Featured Articles:Decoding functional hematopoietic progenitor cells in the adult human lungDLBclass: a probabilistic molecular classifier to guide clinical investigation and practice in diffuse large B-cell lymphomaDonor regulatory T-cell therapy to prevent graft-versus-host disease

In this week's episode we’ll learn more about how phosphoseryl-tRNA kinase inhibition promotes cell death in acute myeloid leukemia, or AML; APOE gene variants and their association with post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant outcomes in AML; and pathways by which chronic inflammation and oxidative stress may lead to cardiomyopathy in patients with sickle cell disease.Featured Articles:PSTK inhibition activates cGAS-STING, precipitating ferroptotic cell death in leukemic stem cells Common Hereditary Variants of the APOE Gene and Posttransplant Outcome in Acute Myeloid Leukemia 17R-Resolvin D1 Protects Against Sickle Cell Related Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy in Humanized Mice 

Join experts Andreas Reiter, a professor specializing in myeloid lympho-neoplasms, Claire Harrison, who co-authored key research on treating low-risk polycythemia vera, and Aaron Gerds, a doctor focusing on anemia in myelofibrosis. They discuss groundbreaking advances in treating myeloproliferative neoplasms, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine. Learn about evolving strategies for managing polycythemia vera, the complexities of anemia treatment, and the significance of thorough testing for rare conditions. Their insights pave the way for enhanced patient care.

In this week's episode we'll learn about the role of autologous transplant for relapsed myeloma. In an updated analysis of the GMMG ReLApsE trial, salvage autologous transplant offered no survival benefit compared to control chemotherapy. These findings may have clinical implications in an era of alternative, and highly effective, treatment options. After that: Response to DDAVP, or desmopressin, in bleeding disorders. This study is the first large scale meta-analysis to assess the response rate to DDAVP in bleeding disorders. Authors provide new insights into determinants of response, which vary according to the disease type. Finally, turning to diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Germinal center B cells depend on the activity of DOT1 and EZH2 to maintain their pro-proliferative identity. New research shows that combined treatment with DOT1L and EZH2 inhibitors has synergistic activity in vitro.Featured Articles:Salvage autologous transplant in relapsed multiple myeloma: long-term follow-up of the phase 3 GMMG ReLApsE trialDDAVP response and its determinants in bleeding disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysisTargeting DOT1L and EZH2 synergizes in breaking the germinal center identity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

In this week's episode we’ll learn about the role of interleukin-1 signaling in the bone marrow microenvironment in the development of myelodysplastic syndromes, the immune checkpoint regulator VISTA as a potential target for preventing graft-vs-host disease, and epcoritamab plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in transplant-ineligible relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.Featured Articles:IL-1R1 and IL-18 signals regulate mesenchymal stromal cells in an aged murine model of myelodysplastic syndromesTargeting cell-surface VISTA expression on allospecific naïve T cells promotes toleranceEpcoritamab plus GemOx in transplant-ineligible relapsed/refractory DLBCL: results from the EPCORE NHL-2 trial

Discover how aging platelets evolve from promoting blood clotting to playing a role in inflammation, which may impact transfusion practices. The discussion also explores odronextamab, a promising therapy for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who have not responded to CAR T cell treatments. Plus, dive into findings on prizlon-cel, a new CAR T-cell product targeting specific antigens, highlighting advancements in cancer therapies and their potential implications for patient care.

Dr. Nicole Thornton, head of the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, discusses groundbreaking findings on the AnWj-negative blood group. She reveals how deletions in the MAL gene lead to the absence of Mal protein, solving a long-standing mystery. The conversation dives into the implications for transfusion medicine and the significance of the ANWJ antigen. Additionally, the episode covers genetic factors affecting antibody responses in hematological malignancies, highlighting the importance of blood group research in targeted therapies.

In this week's episode, we’ll learn more about using itacitinib for the prevention of graft vs host disease in haploidentical transplants, diagnosis and management of purpura fulminans, and results of a systematic review seeking evidence for sickle cell crisis-associated mortality in individuals with sickle cell trait. Featured Articles:Itacitinib for prevention of graft-versus-host disease and cytokine release syndrome in haploidentical transplantationHow I diagnose and treat acute infection–associated purpura fulminansSickle cell trait does not cause “sickle cell crisis” leading to exertion-related death: a systematic review

In today's episode, we'll discuss time-limited triplet therapy in relapsed or refractory CLL. Zanubrutinib, venetoclax and obinutuzumab induced deep remissions, and was well tolerated, even in very high-risk patients, and those with prior exposure to targeted therapies. After that: researchers chronicle the development of a patient-reported outcome measure for sclerosis associated with chronic GVHD—graft-versus-host disease. The new symptom scale—currently undergoing validation studies—may provide valuable information regarding severity, functional impact, and response to therapy. Finally, a study of changes in population dynamic rates that underlie inflammation-associated myeloid bias. The work demonstrates the use of mathematical models to deliver critical biological insights and uncover underlying mechanisms.Featured Articles:MRD-guided zanubrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab in relapsed CLL: primary end point analysis from the CLL2-BZAG trialDevelopment of the Lee Symptom Scale–Skin Sclerosis for chronic GVHD–associated sclerosisPopulation dynamics modeling reveals that myeloid bias involves both HSC differentiation and progenitor proliferation biases

Explore the promising combination of azacitidine and venetoclax for treating high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Discover a cutting-edge risk-scoring system that predicts hematotoxicity after CAR T-cell therapy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Additionally, learn about the fascinating mechanisms behind inotuzumab ozogamicin resistance, highlighting the DNTT gene's role as a potential biomarker for treatment challenges. This deep dive into hematologic treatments offers insight into the future of cancer care.