Articles tagged with Hematology
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) taking statin medications at the start of treatment had a significantly lower risk of dying from their cancer. Statin use reduced death rates by 61% compared to non-statin users.
A real-world study of 2,147 children with sickle cell disease found that hydroxyurea reduced emergency department visits by 0.36 fewer times per patient-year and hospital stays by 0.84 fewer days per patient-year. Improvements in hemoglobin concentration were seen only in patients who consistently took the medication.
Researchers have discovered a significant increase in inflammation and C-reactive protein levels in female patients with sickle cell disease during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. This finding may help identify potential targets for managing pain crises, particularly when combined with hormonal contraceptives.
A new machine learning model improves risk assessment for patients with myelofibrosis seeking a transplant, identifying high-risk patients with a 40% chance of dying within a year. The open-access model provides a practical tool for clinicians to enhance shared decision-making with their patients.
A new study found that white blood cells that remember past inflammation events are quick to overreact, raising the risk of blood clots. Researchers discovered that these immune cells, called myeloid cells, have increased blood-clotting activity long after the initial inflammatory event.
A team of researchers has identified a new chronic blood clotting disorder, VITT-like monoclonal gammopathy of thrombotic significance (MGTS), characterized by antibodies similar to those causing vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT). The disorder can lead to severe symptoms despite treatment with full-dose bloo...
A new case report reveals a rare and aggressive form of leukemia developing from donor cells nine years after a stem cell transplant. The disease, driven by genetic mutations in key genes, progresses despite intensive treatment and ultimately proves fatal.
A systematic literature review found no evidence to support a link between physical exertion without rhabdomyolysis or heat injury and sudden death in individuals with sickle cell trait. The review's findings refute the attribution of sudden death to SCT, a condition affecting over 100 million people worldwide.
Research led by University of Pittsburgh scientists found that exposure to long-wavelength red light reduces blood clots in humans and mice. The study's findings have the potential to reduce deaths and disabilities caused by blood clots worldwide.
The new guidelines aim to reduce trauma and delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy. Led by Dr Georgia Mills and Dr Gisele Kidson-Gerber, the guidelines provide a practical guide for doctors, including recommendations for diagnosis, staging, imaging safety, therapy, and supportive care.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine found that reducing the dose of popular blood thinners like Xarelto and Eliquis can lower the risk of future bleeding events. The research team analyzed nearly 1,000 cases of patients who took these medications to prevent recurrent clots after having a blood clot.
Stephen D. Nimer, MD, has been awarded the American Society of Hematology's (ASH) Mentor Award for 2024 for his impact on over 100 hematology trainees who have gone on to have thriving careers. He is recognized for creating a collaborative environment that drives scientific discovery and quality patient care.
A new treatment shows promise for people with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, delaying cancer progression and improving overall survival. Daratumumab significantly reduces risk of progression to active disease and improves patient outcomes.
Two clinical trials testing loncastuximab tesirine showed promising results in patients with high-risk forms of follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. The treatment achieved impressive response rates, including a 70% complete response rate for marginal zone lymphoma and an overall response rate of 97% for follicular lymphoma.
Branden Baptiste, 20, becomes the world's first patient to receive base editing gene therapy for sickle cell disease. The treatment has left him feeling 'more than fine' with no symptoms of the disease. After undergoing chemotherapy and a series of tests, Branden was infused with genetically treated cells in December 2023, allowing his...
The ASH Minority Recruitment Initiative shows lower attrition rates for participants in graduate and medical programs, leading to more career pursuits in hematology. Participants also exhibit high levels of engagement with the American Society of Hematology beyond their program participation.
Continuous Medicaid enrollment is associated with a lower rate of late-stage lymphoma diagnosis, but fewer than half of patients are continuously enrolled before diagnosis. The study found that continuous coverage was strongly linked to a lower likelihood of late-stage diagnosis, especially in young adults.
A new study found that preschool-aged children with sickle cell disease who live in food deserts and have limited access to transportation are at greater risk for acute complications and hospitalizations. Living in a household located more than one mile from a supermarket was associated with a 44% increase in hospitalizations.
A new CAR-T cell therapy targeting CD7 on leukaemia cells has shown promising results in treating T-ALL patients who have exhausted all standard treatment options. The therapy achieved complete remission in 16 out of 17 patients, with some remaining in remission for over five years.
A study published in Blood reported high response rates of 89% and complete responses of 70% among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received cilta-cel infusions. The results were comparable to those seen in clinical trials, suggesting the therapy's effectiveness in real-world settings.
A study published in Blood Advances found that CAR-T therapy can be administered safely and effectively on an outpatient basis in community hospitals, mitigating barriers to access. The treatment showed high efficacy rates, with 80% of patients experiencing an objective response and 54% achieving a complete response.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that over 80% of women are iron deficient by the third trimester of pregnancy. Despite being considered a high-resource setting, the study revealed alarming rates of iron deficiency among healthy pregnant women. This finding emphasizes the importance of routin...
A study found that stroke rates are rising among adults with SCD, despite established treatment guidelines, with age being a significant factor. The researchers identified modifiable risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and frequent hospitalization as increasing the risk of ischemic stroke.
Researchers found pomalidomide to be safe and effective in reducing nosebleed severity, improving quality of life, and decreasing the need for blood transfusions in adults with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. The trial stopped early due to successful findings, offering a promising treatment option for this rare bleeding disorder.
Research analyzing 4.184 million genetic data from 23andMe participants found that those with sickle cell trait have a higher risk of venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism, yet relatively lower risk of blood clotting overall compared to FVL.
Researchers at Klick Labs developed an AI technique using vocal biomarkers to predict chronic high blood pressure with up to 84% accuracy. The study used machine learning to analyze hundreds of indiscernible vocal biomarkers, including pitch variability and speech energy distribution patterns.
A study of 13,084 adults with iron deficiency found that 42% had normal iron levels within three years, while 58% continued to have low ferritin levels. Factors associated with faster resolution included older age, male sex, and Medicare insurance. Persistent delays in treatment highlight the need for improved recognition and efficient...
A year-long pilot program found that external mentorship increased confidence, furthered career development, and facilitated networking opportunities for trainees in classical hematology. The program paired hematology/oncology fellows with mentors outside their institutions to meet virtually each month.
A new mathematical method, validated with experimental animal data, provides fast, reliable, and minimally invasive way of determining how to treat critical blood pressure changes. The method accurately tracks cardiac output and systemic resistance, mirroring estimates from more invasive catheters in some cases.
A recent study suggests that the two-week toxicity monitoring period for CAR-T therapy in diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients is too restrictive, with most toxicities occurring within the first two weeks. Shortening this period and reducing driving restrictions could increase treatment accessibility for patients.
Researchers found that anxiety disorders and depression significantly elevate the risk of incident DVT. Stress-related neural mechanisms may increase DVT risk through heightened activation of stress pathways.
A study suggests that hydroxyurea alters the developmental process of ovarian follicles but not their quantity. Ovarian tissue samples from patients with SCD showed no significant difference in primordial follicle density between those who received hydroxyurea and those who did not.
A novel strategy using venetoclax and azacitidine demonstrates significant anti-cancer effect with mild toxicity for relapsed/refractory AML patients. The treatment showed markedly better survival rates after one year compared to a control group, with improved 'graft-versus-leukemia effects' via alterations of immune cells.
After undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), female patients can become pregnant and give birth to healthy children. Fertility counseling is crucial for these women, particularly young adults who hope to have children, as previous studies had found pregnancies post-transplant nearly impossible.
Patients with CLL and NHL who received frequent immunoglobulin G tests had fewer infections, required fewer antimicrobial medications, and higher blood levels of IgG. Increased IgG testing is associated with a lower risk of severe infections, suggesting that clear clinician guidance may save lives.
Individuals living with sickle cell disease who experience delays in transitioning to adult care are twice as likely to be hospitalized, according to a study. Patients who transition within six months have more outpatient visits and better health outcomes.
A Danish study found that metformin use is associated with a reduced risk of developing certain types of myeloproliferative neoplasms, including all subtypes. Long-term metformin users had the strongest protective effect against MPN development.
A recent study published in Blood Neoplasia found that older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can derive benefit from the VEN-HMA regimen, which is the standard of care for older AML patients. The treatment was shown to durably prolong survival in approximately 20-25% of treated patients.
Survival after hematopoietic cell transplant improved over time for all racial/ethnic groups, with non-Hispanic African Americans still experiencing worse outcomes. Hispanic patients now have similar survival rates to non-Hispanic whites.
Synthetic platelets made of hydrogel nanoparticles mimic the size and shape of human platelets, promoting clotting and healing. The innovative device has shown promising results in animal models and is being developed for clinical use to treat various medical conditions.
Researchers found that discontinuing specialist follow-up care for patients with slow-growing CLL had no negative impact on survival, hospital visits or infections. Most patients who ended follow-up developed minor infections treated with antibiotics.
Researchers discovered two novel GNE gene mutations that may cause a rare blood disorder called macrothrombocytopenia. The mutations affect the synthesis of sialic acid, critical for brain development and angiogenesis. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism underlying this disorder and explore therapeutic interventions.
Researchers unveil innovative strategies to overcome metabolic constraints in CAR-T cell therapy, aiming to boost its efficacy in treating solid tumors. Metabolic interventions targeting immunosuppressive metabolites, metabolite uptake, and mitochondrial metabolism are proposed to enhance anti-tumor activity.
A new study suggests that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture may not be necessary for diagnosing and managing immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in CAR T-cell therapy recipients. EEG findings often led to adjustments in medications, indicating its continued importance as a diagnostic tool.
Anemia affects about 2 billion people worldwide and has been a significant health concern since its recognition as a blood condition in the 1800s. The new method uses microscopic gaps between bone layers to diagnose anemia in both living and dead subjects.
A USC study found that diets high in solid fats and refined grains may increase the likelihood of developing preeclampsia, while a diet rich in vegetables, oils, and fruit may reduce the risk. Low-income Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by this health disparity.
A study published in Blood Advances found that combination therapies can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients taking ibrutinib. The research suggests that different drug combinations may be more effective depending on whether patients had high blood pressure before or developed it while taking the drug.
Researchers discovered a connection between hepatitis B and C viruses and multiple myeloma, finding that antiviral treatment can improve outcomes. The study suggests that early detection of these infections may lead to better treatment and survival rates for patients with this cancer.
Researchers found that obesity is associated with a 73% higher odds of having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a benign blood condition that often precedes multiple myeloma. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity and smoking habits also play a role in the development of MGUS.
Researchers discuss clonal hematopoiesis, a condition where cells harbor somatic mutations, and its association with aging, solid tumors, and treatment outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that CH may play a role in cancer development and survival.
New research reveals that the age at which individuals are tested for VWD significantly affects their diagnosis, with older patients more likely to be misdiagnosed. The study also found that as people with VWD get older, they respond better to treatment, potentially reducing medication and side effects.
A study published in Blood Advances found liso-cel to be a cost-effective treatment for r/r DLBCL, with a lower societal ICER of $68,212 per QALY. The treatment offered improved quality-adjusted life years and reduced lost productivity costs.
GFH009 inhibits tumor growth and induces apoptosis in various HHM-derived cell lines. The compound's mechanism of action involves rapid 'on-off' inhibition of CDK9, which exerts a proapoptotic effect on cancer cells.
A study found that patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma who received bendamustine before CAR T-cell therapy had a shorter progression-free survival and overall response rate compared to those who did not receive bendamustine. The use of bendamustine should be avoided in these patients when possible.
Researchers found rivaroxaban associated with nearly 40 bleeding events per 100 patients over a year, while apixaban had similar bleeding events as warfarin but more major bleeds. Apixaban also showed lower mortality rates compared to the other medications.
Researchers investigated mechanisms of NK cell-mediated killing in various types of blood cancers, uncovering genes involved in sensitivity and resistance to NK cell therapies. The study aims to develop new personalized immunotherapies for improved cancer treatment outcomes.
The study found that dasatinib and blinatumomab combination treatment resulted in excellent median overall survival and disease-free survival times for patients 65 and older with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The regimen confirmed benefits of this treatment are durable, with a median overall survival of...
Researchers at University of Cincinnati Cancer Center present Phase 2 clinical trial results for a new BTK inhibitor treatment that offers potential for improved efficacy and safety in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The study also explores the use of IRAK4 inhibitors to target acute myeloid leukemia cells, with promising results.
The American Heart Association and Neurocritical Care Society emphasize the need for improved critical care management of patients after cardiac arrest. The consensus statement highlights gaps in knowledge, particularly in areas like neurological, cardiac, and gastrointestinal care.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that gene splicing can reduce CD20 protein levels, making immunotherapies ineffective. However, CAR-T cell therapy may still be effective against patients with low CD20 levels, offering a new treatment option for these patients.