To chelate or not to chelate in MDS: That is the question!
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hemopathies that exhibit physical manifestations with clinical consequences of bone marrow failure and inherent risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Iron overload (IO) is common in MDS due to chronic transfusion support and disease-related alterations in iron metabolism. IO has been conclusively associated with inferior outcomes among MDS patients. Despite lack of randomized trials showing a survival impact of iron chelation therapy (ICT), ICT is recommended by experts and guidelines for select MDS patients with IO and is often used. (Source: Blood Reviews)
Source: Blood Reviews - March 8, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Amer M. Zeidan, Elizabeth A. Griffiths Tags: Review Source Type: research
Approach to pancytopenia: Diagnostic algorithm for clinical hematologists
Pancytopenia is a relatively common phenomenon encountered in clinical practice. The evaluation of a patient with pancytopenia requires a comprehensive approach and identifying the underlying cause can be challenging given the wide range of etiologies including drugs, autoimmune conditions, malignancies, infections, hemophagocytosis, and inheritable conditions. Recent advances in molecular hematology which include genomic profiling and next-generation sequencing have helped gain major insights into various hematological conditions and can guide diagnosing specific diseases in a shorter time at lower costs. (Source: Blood Reviews)
Source: Blood Reviews - March 5, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Jerome Gnanaraj, Aric Parnes, Charles W. Francis, Ronald S. Go, Clifford M. Takemoto, Shahrukh K. Hashmi Tags: Review Source Type: research
Standing up to the cardiometabolic consequences of hematological cancers
Hematological cancer survivors are highly vulnerable to cardiometabolic complications impacting long-term health status, quality of life and survival. Elevated risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease arises not only from the effects of the cancers themselves, but also from the toxic effects of cancer therapies, and deconditioning arising from reduced physical activity levels. Regular physical activity can circumvent or reverse adverse effects on the heart, skeletal muscle, vasculature and blood cells, through a combination of systemic and molecular mechanisms. (Source: Blood Reviews)
Source: Blood Reviews - February 21, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Erin J. Howden, Andr é La Gerche, Jane F. Arthur, Julie R. McMullen, Garry L. Jennings, David W. Dunstan, Neville Owen, Sharon Avery, Bronwyn A. Kingwell Tags: Review Source Type: research
Bispecific antibody based therapeutics: Strengths and challenges
Monoclonal antibody-based targeted therapy has greatly improved treatment options for patients. However, long-term efficacy of such antibodies is limited by resistance mechanisms. New insights into the mechanisms by which tumors evade immune control have driven innovative therapeutic strategies to eliminate cancer by re-directing immune cells to tumors. Advances in protein engineering technology have generated multiple bispecific antibody (BsAb) formats capable of targeting multiple antigens as a single agent. (Source: Blood Reviews)
Source: Blood Reviews - February 19, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Archana Thakur, Manley Huang, Lawrence G. Lum Tags: Review Source Type: research
Anti-cancer vaccine therapy for hematologic malignancies: An evolving era
The potential promise of therapeutic vaccination as effective therapy for hematologic malignancies is supported by the observation that allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is curative for a subset of patients due to the graft-versus-tumor effect mediated by alloreactive lymphocytes. Tumor vaccines are being explored as a therapeutic strategy to re-educate host immunity to recognize and target malignant cells through the activation and expansion of effector cell populations. Via several mechanisms, tumor cells induce T cell dysfunction and senescence, amplifying and maintaining tumor cell immunosuppressive effects...
Source: Blood Reviews - February 15, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Myrna R. Nahas, Jacalyn Rosenblatt, Hillard M. Lazarus, David Avigan Tags: Review Source Type: research
Review of immune tolerance induction in hemophilia A
At first sight the bleeding disorder hemophilia A seems to have little in common with immune disorders, but immunology research intersects with other disciplines including hematology.Nowadays, the most important complication in the treatment of hemophilia A is the development of neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) against exogenous administered factor VIII (FVIII), which occurs in approximately 30% of all patients with severe hemophilia A. This antibody response renders FVIII replacement therapy ineffective, thereby increasing the risk for uncontrollable bleeding and morbidity, decreasing quality of life and increasing he...
Source: Blood Reviews - February 15, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: S.J. Schep, R.E.G. Schutgens, K. Fischer, M.L. Boes Tags: Review Source Type: research
Anti-cancer vaccine therapy for hematologic malignancies: An evolving era
The potential promise of therapeutic vaccination as effective therapy for hematologic malignancies is supported by the observation that allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is curative for a subset of patients due to the graft-versus-tumor effect mediated by alloreactive lymphocytes. Tumor vaccines are being explored as a therapeutic strategy to re-educate host immunity to recognize and target malignant cells through the activation and expansion of effector cell populations. Via several mechanisms, tumor cells induce T cell dysfunction and senescence, amplifying and maintaining tumor cell immunosuppressive effects...
Source: Blood Reviews - February 15, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Myrna R. Nahas, Jacalyn Rosenblatt, Hillard M. Lazarus, David Avigan Tags: Review Source Type: research
A paradigm shift on beta-thalassaemia treatment: How will we manage this old disease with new therapies?
Beta-thalassaemia causes defective haemoglobin synthesis leading to ineffective erythropoiesis, chronic haemolytic anaemia, and subsequent clinical complications. Blood transfusion and iron chelation allow long-term disease control, and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation offers a potential cure for some patients. Nonetheless, there are still many challenges in the management of beta-thalassaemia. The main treatment option for most patients is supportive care; furthermore, the long-term efficacy and safety of current therapeutic strategies are limited and adherence is suboptimal. (Source: Blood Reviews)
Source: Blood Reviews - February 12, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Maria Domenica Cappellini, John B. Porter, Vip Viprakasit, Ali T. Taher Tags: Review Source Type: research
A paradigm shift on beta-thalassaemia treatment: How will we manage this old disease with new therapies?
Beta-thalassaemia causes defective haemoglobin synthesis leading to ineffective erythropoiesis, chronic haemolytic anaemia, and subsequent clinical complications. Blood transfusion and iron chelation allow long-term disease control, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation offers a potential cure for some patients. Nonetheless, there are still many challenges in the management of beta-thalassaemia. The main treatment option for most patients is supportive care; furthermore, the long-term efficacy and safety of current therapeutic strategies are limited and adherence is suboptimal. (Source: Blood Reviews)
Source: Blood Reviews - February 12, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Maria Domenica Cappellini, John B. Porter, Vip Viprakasit, Ali T. Taher Tags: Review Source Type: research
