In this post, we will be taking a closer look at some of the most popular hematology-related articles recently published across medical journals.

Cancer diagnosis and treatment in working-age adults: Implications for employment, health insurance coverage, and financial hardship in the United States

  • CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
  • July/August 2024
  • The escalating expenses associated with cancer treatment and the resulting financial strain on cancer survivors and their families have been extensively studied and documented in the United States. However, there has been a lack of focus on the impact of cancer diagnoses on employment and household income, which can lead to long-term financial difficulties, especially for working-age adults who are not yet eligible for Medicare coverage, as well as their families. In this article, the authors present a composite patient case to demonstrate the negative effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment on employment, health insurance coverage, household income, and overall financial well-being. This case study highlights the challenges faced by individuals and families dealing with the financial repercussions of cancer, shedding light on an often-overlooked aspect of cancer care.
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Asciminib Monotherapy as Frontline Treatment of Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Results from the ASCEND Study

  • Blood
  • August 2024
  • Asciminib is a myristoyl site BCR-ABL1 inhibitor that has been approved for patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) who have not responded to at least two prior lines of therapy. The Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG) conducted the ASCEND study to evaluate the effectiveness of asciminib in newly diagnosed CP-CML patients. The study revealed that using asciminib as a first-line therapy in CP-CML patients resulted in high rates of molecular response, excellent tolerance, and a low rate of treatment discontinuation due to toxicity. This suggests that asciminib may be a promising option for patients with CP-CML who have not responded well to previous treatments.
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Novel natural killer cell-based therapies for hematologic and solid malignancies: latest updates from ASCO 2024

  • Journal of Hematology & Oncology
  • July 2024
  • Natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies have shown significant advancements in the treatment of both hematological and solid tumors. Unlike traditional therapies, NK cells do not require antigen presentation to identify and destroy tumor cells, making them a promising avenue for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, the authors provide a thorough overview of the most recent clinical data on innovative NK cell-based therapies presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
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The seasonal distribution of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is influenced by geography: Epidemiologic findings from a multi-center analysis of 719 disease episodes

  • American Journal of Hematology
  • August 2024
  • Previous research has indicated that immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) may exhibit seasonal variations. However, methodological constraints and small sample sizes have hindered the ability to conduct a thorough analysis. This retrospective study spanning five years aimed to investigate the epidemiology of iTTP and ascertain if it follows a seasonal trend. Identifying the factors contributing to seasonal patterns of the disease could aid in the identification and advancement of preventive treatments, as well as guide resource allocation strategies.
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Comparison of efficacy of eltrombopag combined with immunosuppression in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia and very severe aplastic anemia: real-world data and evidence

  • Annals of Hematology
  • August 2024
  • Previous studies have shown that the combination of eltrombopag with immunosuppressive therapy (IST) is more effective than IST alone in treating severe aplastic anemia (SAA). These findings indicate that the addition of eltrombopag to IST can enhance hematological recovery in newly diagnosed SAA patients without significantly increasing severe toxicities. However, in very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA), the use of eltrombopag did not demonstrate any additional benefits in terms of efficacy, except for an increased complete response rate at 6 months.
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Genetic Risk Stratification and Outcomes Among Treatment-Naive Patients With AML Treated With Venetoclax and Azacitidine

  • Blood
  • August 2024
  • The European LeukemiaNet (ELN) has developed genetic risk classification systems for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on response to intensive chemotherapy. However, these systems have shown limitations in discriminating outcomes in older patients treated with venetoclax-azacitidine. The prognostic classifiers provided by ELN do not offer clinically meaningful risk stratification of overall survival (OS) outcomes for AML patients undergoing treatment with venetoclax-azacitidine. By considering the mutation status of TP53, FLT3-ITD, NRAS, and KRAS, patients can be classified into three risk groups with significant differences in median OS. This suggests that the current classification systems may be suboptimal for patients receiving venetoclax-azacitidine therapy.
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A phase I dose escalation and expansion trial of the next-generation oral SERD camizestrant in women with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: SERENA-1 monotherapy results

  • Annals of Oncology
  • August 2024
  • The SERENA-1 clinical trial (NCT03616587) is a phase I, multi-part, open-label study investigating the use of camizestrant in pre- and post-menopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced cancer. The study consists of two parts, A and B, with the primary objectives being to assess the safety and tolerability of camizestrant as a monotherapy and to establish appropriate dosages for further clinical evaluation.
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The complexities of T-cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

  • Seminars in Hematology
  • June 2024
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of B-cell malignancy that is characterized by significant alterations and defects in the T-cell compartment. This particular observation has sparked renewed interest, especially considering that T-cell treatment strategies, which have shown success in more aggressive B-cell malignancies, have not produced the desired outcomes in CLL patients. Despite continuous efforts to comprehend and address the identified T-cell defects, the precise mechanisms and nature of this dysfunction remain largely unknown. The aim of this review is to explore the communication signals between T cells and CLL cells within the lymph node niche, highlight key discoveries regarding T-cell functional impairments, investigate potential root causes of these deficiencies, and propose innovative approaches to reverse them.
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There you have it – a look at some of the most popular hematology articles recently released. Sign up for alerts and stay informed on the latest published guidelines and articles.

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