A new study at Ohio State University Medical Center has successfully grown human blood platelets in a laboratory for transfusion. The three-dimensional bioreactor produced up to 1.2 million platelets per day, continuing production for over 32 days.
A new analysis of the AZA-001 phase III clinical trial shows that Vidaza significantly improves response rates for higher-risk MDS patients. Continued treatment with Vidaza leads to improved responses in nearly half of patients, offering hope for those who initially have a weak response.
A Phase I study combining Revlimid and Vidaza found the combination was well-tolerated and had high activity in treating higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The therapy resulted in a 39% complete response rate and 72% overall response rate among patients.
A phase III study will evaluate Revlimid as a maintenance therapy for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The study aims to determine progression-free survival and overall survival associated with Revlimid compared to placebo.
A subanalysis of the AZA-001 phase III trial reveals Vidaza extends overall survival and reduces death risk in elderly higher-risk MDS patients. The treatment also improves one-year survival rates in all response categories.
The ECOG E4A03 study found that Revlimid plus low-dose dexamethasone improved three-year overall survival rates to 75% in the intent-to-treat population. Continuous therapy also achieved a 91% overall response rate with a high complete response and very good partial response rate.
Phase II trials demonstrate significant activity of pomalidomide in MM and myelofibrosis, with disease improvement or stabilization in 76% of patients. Pomalidomide also shows promise in patients who previously did not respond to REVLIMID therapy.
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia who received VIDAZA had significantly increased overall survival compared to those treated with conventional care regimens. Approximately half of the AML patients treated with VIDAZA survived at least two years, compared to just 16% of those receiving conventional chemotherapy.
A landmark analysis found that continuous treatment with Revlimid and dexamethasone improved overall survival and time to disease progression in multiple myeloma patients. Patients who continued therapy had significantly longer overall survival rates compared to those who discontinued treatment after 10 months or less.
Researchers evaluated REVLIMID's clinical benefit in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, demonstrating improved response durations and safety profiles. The study's results support the use of REVLIMID as a treatment option for these patients.
A new combination of medications has improved or stabilized disease in 76% of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. Pomalidomide combined with dexamethasone showed promising results, with minimal side effects.
A study published by researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center revealed that intense chemotherapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence in young mantle cell lymphoma patients. In a median follow-up of seven years, 52% of patients aged 65 or younger achieved disease-free survival.
Researchers have discovered an experimental drug that successfully blocks an enzyme causing certain bone marrow cancers. The oral drug, CYT387, was tested in mice and human cells, blocking the growth of myeloproliferative disorders and normalizing blood counts.
A Phase 2 clinical trial of pralatrexate found a complete or partial response in 27 percent of patients with recurrent or resistant peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The treatment, which mimics folic acid, showed durable responses in patients who had failed multiple prior treatments.
Early investigational studies show anti-tumor activity in ZOLINZA (vorinostat) and bortezomib combination for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Clinical trials are underway to further evaluate this combination, offering new hope for advanced multiple myeloma patients.
An analysis of a phase III clinical trial showed that VIDAZA can improve patient responses, achieving an overall response rate of 51% in higher-risk MDS patients. Continued treatment with VIDAZA led to better outcomes for almost half of responders.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new three-drug combination therapy that spares patients from prolonged myelosuppression, a potentially lethal side effect of traditional treatments. The treatment achieved a remission rate of 96% in patients with indolent B cell lymphoma.
A subset analysis of the AZA-001 trial demonstrated that Vidaza significantly improved overall survival in patients with WHO-defined acute myeloid leukemia (AML) compared to conventional care regimens. The study also showed reduced infections, hospitalizations, and red blood cell transfusions.
The study found an ORR of 53% and CR/CRu of 20% in evaluable patients, while pooled data showed a 57% ORR and 21% CR. REVLIMID is being evaluated as a treatment option for heavily pretreated MCL patients.
Researchers have discovered that simultaneous inhibition of BCR-ABL and KIT proteins is crucial for suppressing leukemia cell growth. This finding may lead to the development of novel drugs targeting multidrug resistant mutants of BCR-ABL, as well as new treatment strategies for CML stem cells.
A new clinical trial has demonstrated the safety of expanding umbilical cord blood stem cells before transplanting them to patients with advanced leukemias or lymphomas. The study found that expanded stem cell technique is comparable to standard double-cord transplant and shows promise for improved engraftment and survival.
A clinical trial at Ohio State University found that older AML patients responded well to a less toxic therapy, achieving complete remission in 42% of cases. The treatment involved decitabine and showed promising results for this 'silent majority' of patients who previously were told they had no chance of treatment.
Researchers found identical survival rates among African Americans and white patients after autologous bone marrow transplants. However, African Americans were less likely to receive the treatment due to pre-existing medical conditions and socio-economic factors.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine developed a man-made anti-clotting protein that prevents excessive clotting in patients with hereditary antithrombin deficiency. The treatment showed no adverse effects during treatment or seven days after treatment, indicating its potential to prevent complications linked to the condition.
Two REVLIMID Phase II studies showed significant activity and tolerability in previously untreated CLL patients, achieving response rates of 52% and 96% with manageable side effects. The studies also indicated that continued treatment can improve response rates.
UC San Diego researchers have found that analyzing groups of interactive genes can better predict the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. They identified 30 subnetworks of gene expression patterns that separated patients with slow-growing and aggressive forms of the disease.
A Mayo Clinic study found that statins do not interfere with rituximab treatment for lymphomas. In fact, statins may slow the progression of certain types of lymphoma. The study included over 500 patients and showed that statin use did not affect treatment outcomes, but may even improve them in some cases.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new risk model for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that applies to patients at any stage of the disease. The model provides improved survival projections and treatment guidance, offering hope for better patient outcomes.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center analyzed over 1,100 blood stem cell transplantations and found that older patients (65+) do not have poorer outcomes compared to younger patients. The study also showed that disease type and status at transplant are key prognostic variables for survival.
Researchers have found that preventive use of antithrombotic medication can reduce incidence of thromboembolic events in cancer patients. The PROTECHT Study shows a 47.2% reduction in risk, while also demonstrating safety with minimal major bleeding episodes.
In a phase II clinical trial, lenalidomide demonstrated activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia in elderly patients. The drug showed a favorable toxicity profile and achieved significant responses, including partial response in 54% of patients.
Two studies examine the impact of cord blood, peripheral blood, and bone marrow on transplant success rates in adults with acute leukemia. The research reveals that mismatched cord blood transplants can be a suitable alternative to bone marrow or peripheral blood transplants.
A previously dismissed leukemia drug, flavopiridol, has shown promising results in treating CLL patients with advanced chromosomal abnormalities. In a two-phase trial involving 116 patients, approximately half responded to treatment.
A study found that ultrasound screening with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) significantly reduced stroke incidence among children with sickle cell disease. The technique, combined with regular transfusions for high-risk patients, lowered stroke rates to one-tenth of the pre-TCD era.
Researchers studied the quality of care for hospitalized sickle cell disease patients, finding that hospitals treating low volumes have higher mortality rates. The study also identified associations between insurance coverage, patient socioeconomic status, and reduced hospital stays.
Novel treatments, including fostamatinib disodium, have shown significant clinical activity in treating leukemia and lymphoma. The study found improved response rates and prolonged stable disease in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Four studies showcase treatment advances in blood cancers, including improved progression-free survival for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A new tumor suppressor gene is also discovered in patients with myeloproliferative disorders.
The study presents a new combination therapy for previously untreated ITP, an investigational oral treatment for chronic ITP, and a low-dose platelet transfusion strategy. These approaches aim to minimize bleeding episodes in patients with platelet disorders.
UC Davis researchers are exploring a new gene therapy approach to cure AIDS by replacing HIV-infected immune cells with HIV-resistant ones. They plan to conduct safety and efficacy trials using a mouse model before moving on to human clinical trials.
Researchers have found that bone marrow-derived stem cells can increase production of the col7 protein and form anchoring fibrils, improving the connection between the dermis and epidermis. This treatment has shown promise in increasing survival time and reducing blister formation in mouse models of the disease.
Researchers found a potential new cancer risk and path for testing treatments for people with Fanconi anemia. Restoring the FA pathway reverses irregular cell growth in HPV-positive cells and may reduce cancer risk.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a gene therapy that alleviates sickle cell disease pathology by introducing a corrective gene into mouse blood cells. The treated mice showed essentially no difference from normal mice, with improved red blood cell production and organ function.
Hormones produced by fat cells stimulate breast cancer cell migration and invasion, while a class of drugs called EGFR inhibitors can block these effects, potentially blunting aggressive tumor behavior in triple negative breast cancer patients.
Research found that workers with high levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and central obesity had significantly higher self-reported fatigue after work. The study suggests that objective measures such as elevated ALT and increased waist circumference are associated with work-related fatigue in apparently healthy workers.
A study found that 78% of breast cancer patients had at least one other cause of bone loss besides cancer drugs. Vitamin D deficiency was the most common factor, affecting 38% of breast cancer patients compared to 51% of non-cancer patients.
Researchers found that patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) respond differently to medications depending on their unique genetic makeup. The study suggests that developing individualized treatment plans tailored to the specific mutations in each tumor could improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the analysis of Sutent'...
New UGA research sheds light on the important role of the Foxn1 gene in maintaining T cell production in the thymus. The study suggests that understanding how this gene works could lead to new therapies for various illnesses, including age-related immunodeficiency disorders.
The cullin family of proteins is involved in regulating the degradation of proteins that control blood cell development. A study published in Blood found that targeting this protein may lead to improved therapies for leukemia and other blood cancers.
A landmark clinical trial is underway to test whether a low-molecule-weight heparin can prevent pulmonary embolism in patients receiving chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. The trial aims to identify high-risk cancer patients and demonstrate that blood clots can be prevented with anti-coagulant therapy.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that end-of-life discussions can lead to improved quality of life for patients and their loved ones. Patients who had these conversations were more likely to accept comfort care and received less aggressive medical treatment.
Researchers investigate role of GSK-3 proteins in mouse embryonic heart development and find that mice lacking GSK-3-beta exhibit hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, studies show PTEN protein modification leads to T-ALL cell viability, while HDAC3 plays a crucial role in maintaining heart function.
A new JAMA study reveals a genetic link between obesity and colon cancer risk, showing those with a common genetic variant of ADIPOQ carry up to 30% reduced risk. This finding may lead to improved screening and early detection for colon cancer through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a strong association between neutropenia, or low white blood count, and women of African descent. This association may affect disparities in disease treatment and outcomes for cancer therapy, particularly among those with breast and colon cancer.
A 9-year study in sheep found that the likelihood of BSE transmission via blood transfusion was 36% for BSE and 43% for scrapie. Researchers warn that up to 4,000 people could be carrying vCJD in the UK, posing a risk through infected blood.
A recent study found that blood transfusions can transmit a variant of mad cow disease (vCJD) to humans with high efficiency, particularly when donors are in the later stages of infection. The research suggests that blood from BSE- and scrapie-infected sheep could be used effectively in non-human experiments to develop diagnostic tests.
Dr. Evans, a pioneering figure in pediatric oncology, has been recognized by ASTRO for her groundbreaking work on neuroblastoma staging and patient care. She has also co-founded the Ronald McDonald House and received numerous awards for her dedication to cancer research.
A nationwide clinical trial is underway to investigate the use of unrelated donor marrow and cord blood transplants for severe sickle cell disease. The trial, facilitated by the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network, aims to extend a promising treatment option to more severely affected patients.
Scientists have identified a crucial protein called Lnk that regulates the growth of stem cells in the bone marrow. The findings may aid in improving the success of bone marrow transplants and developing better treatments for blood disorders such as aplastic anemia and severe combined immunodeficiency disorders.
The American Society of Hematology honors Clara D. Bloomfield, Kenneth Anderson, and Robert Kyle for their significant contributions to the understanding of hematologic diseases. Drs. Bloomfield and Anderson will be recognized for their work on acute myelogenous leukemia and multiple myeloma, respectively.
The American Society of Hematology has introduced a new grant program to provide protected research time for medical fellows, aiming to improve their training and skills. The ASH Research Training Award for Fellows supports junior researchers in pursuing careers in academic hematology.