Blood Podcast

In this bonus episode of Blood Podcast, Coordinating Editor, Dr. Jason Gotlib is joined by Drs. Sioban Keel, Margaret Ragni, and Andoni Echaniz-Laguna to discuss the Review Series on RNA Therapeutics in Hematology. The series highlights areas in which RNA therapeutics are most advanced: acute hepatic porphyria, transthyretin amyloidosis, and hemophilia.

Review Series on RNA Therapeutics in Hematology

In this week's episode, we'll learn about stopping myeloma maintenance therapy in the modern era. New research suggests that many patients in remission can discontinue lenalidomide, remaining treatment-free, without jeopardizing disease response. After that: a novel congenital neutropenia syndrome. Mutations in the COPZ1 gene impact myeloid differentiation and development of neutropenia. Researchers describe the mechanisms and propose a treatment strategy for restoring granulopoiesis. Finally, ruxolitinib maintenance therapy after allogeneic transplant. In a phase 2 study, this treatment strategy was associated with low rates of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Investigators say the use of JAK inhibitors in this context warrants further study.

Featured Articles:

• Sustained bone marrow and imaging MRD negativity for 3 years drives discontinuation of maintenance post-ASCT in myeloma
• A new severe congenital neutropenia syndrome associated with autosomal recessive COPZ1 mutations
• Low rates of chronic graft-versus-host disease with ruxolitinib maintenance following allogeneic HCT
  
  

In this episode we’ll examine a new strategy to improve the durability of remission after CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric B cell leukemia, explore the genomic landscape of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphomas, and discuss a new report showing that the occurrence of arterial thrombotic events following the diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms is associated with a significantly increased risk of a second cancer.