{"title":"Donor selection for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in the posttransplant cyclophosphamide era.","authors":"Kentaro Ido, Hirohisa Nakamae","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04202-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-026-04202-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The adoption of posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) as graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis has reduced non-relapse mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) by overcoming the barrier of HLA disparity. Allo-HCT from an HLA-haploidentical-related donor with PTCy (PTCy-haplo) has become a feasible allo-HCT platform. Even in the PTCy era, allo-HCT from an HLA-matched related donor (MRD) has achieved the highest overall survival. However, the optimal donor choice when an MRD is unavailable remains a subject of debate. We discuss outcomes of PTCy-haplo compared with alternative donor sources, such as HLA-matched unrelated donors, HLA-mismatched unrelated donors, and cord blood, and propose a provisional donor selection matrix that combines HLA matching with clinical urgency. In clinical practice, even when multiple donor candidates are available, it is rare to find one with all favorable prognostic factors, including donor age, CD34<sup>+</sup> cell dose, HLA-related factors, anti-HLA antibodies, donor sex, cytomegalovirus serostatus, and donor coordination period. Therefore, it is crucial to select the most suitable donor for each case rather than aiming for a perfect match. Further efforts should focus not only on identifying new prognostic factors but also on developing improved donor selection algorithms that account for the hierarchy among factors and integrate them effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147672974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ten-color multicolor flow cytometry-based measurable residual disease at pre-transplantation predicts relapse of acute myeloid leukemia: a prospective study.","authors":"Kumiyo Tazoe, Hirohisa Nakamae, Yosuke Makuuchi, Masatomo Kuno, Teruhito Takakuwa, Hiroshi Okamura, Asao Hirose, Mika Nakamae, Mitsutaka Nishimoto, Yasuhiro Nakashima, Hideo Miyagawa, Masayuki Hino","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04207-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-026-04207-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Measurable residual disease (MRD) is a key prognostic factor for outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. To enhance predictive performance, we developed a combined MRD assessment method that integrates the proportion of residual leukemic cells of ten-color multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) with peripheral blood WT1 mRNA expression.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-six patients with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allo-HSCT at our institution between October 2013 and December 2019 were enrolled. We prospectively analyzed the prognostic impact of ten-color MFC, peripheral blood WT1 mRNA, and combined MRD assessment before transplantation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both ten-color MFC-based MRD and peripheral blood WT1 mRNA levels above predefined thresholds were significantly associated with an increased risk of relapse after allo-HSCT. However, the results of the multivariate and ROC analyses suggest that ten-color MFC may be a stronger predictor than WT1 mRNA. Moreover, adding peripheral blood WT1 mRNA to ten-color MFC-based MRD reduced the predictive accuracy compared with MFC alone.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147627696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zahra Sarrafan-Chaharsoughi, Taylor Strange, Metha R Chea, Vasily Ovechko, Kirill Lyapichev, Fnu Aakash
{"title":"Plasmablastic lymphoma with uncommon MYC::IGH gene rearrangement: a diagnostic and molecular dilemma.","authors":"Zahra Sarrafan-Chaharsoughi, Taylor Strange, Metha R Chea, Vasily Ovechko, Kirill Lyapichev, Fnu Aakash","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04208-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-026-04208-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advances in CAR T and CAR NK cell therapy for AML.","authors":"Makiko Suga, Naoki Hosen","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04203-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-026-04203-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>CAR T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating haematological malignancies, including B-cell lymphomas, B-cell leukaemias, and multiple myeloma. CAR T cell therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is also urgently needed. One of the major challenges is identifying AML-specific antigens, since many potential candidates (e.g. CD33, CD123, CLL-1, CD70, TIM-3 and FLT3) are also expressed on normal haematopoietic progenitors. This can lead to 'on-target/off-tumour' toxicity and bone marrow aplasia. CAR NK cell therapy for AML shows promise as a lower-toxicity, off-the-shelf alternative. NK cells have a lower inherent risk of GVHD and may cause milder CRS/ICANS. In this review, we will describe the current status of CAR T/NK cell development for AML. We will also introduce a new CAR T-cell or NK-cell therapy that targets mismatched HLA-DRB1 in patients with AML who have relapsed following an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147616222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Are matched-related donors always the best choice? A retrospective study exploring the potential of umbilical cord blood.","authors":"Nobuhiko Imahashi, Takaaki Konuma, Shinichi Kobayashi, Mizuki Watanabe, Satoshi Takahashi, Tetsuya Nishida, Toshiro Kawakita, Hirohisa Nakamae, Noriko Doki, Yasushi Onishi, Mamiko Sakata-Yanagimoto, Yoshinobu Kanda, Masatsugu Tanaka, Tetsuya Eto, Noriyoshi Yoshinaga, Fumihiko Ishimaru, Tatsuo Ichinohe, Yoshiko Atsuta, Junya Kanda","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04200-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-026-04200-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are significantly influenced by conditioning regimens and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Previous studies comparing matched-related donor (MRD) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation included patients with heterogeneous conditioning regimens and GVHD prophylaxis, potentially obscuring the true effects of donor type. We retrospectively compared outcomes of MRD (n = 1335) and UCB (n = 1097) transplantation performed with conditioning regimens and GVHD prophylaxis considered appropriate for cyclophosphamide/total body irradiation-based transplantation. Multivariable analysis revealed better relapse-free survival (RFS) for UCB than MRD in acute myeloid leukemia (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-0.99; P = 0.04) and lymphoma (HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.37-0.997; P = 0.04). In contrast, RFS was similar between MRD and UCB in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.79-1.18; P = 0.74) and worse for UCB in myelodysplastic syndrome (HR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.09-2.52; P = 0.01). These findings suggest that, when appropriate regimens are used, UCB may perform more favorably than MRD depending on disease type. Further validation in independent registry studies is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147592020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Grace Lau, Madhu Bhargavi Chandra, Henri Fero, Fahad Alabbas
{"title":"Anti-CD38-based quadruplet versus triplet induction regimens in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Grace Lau, Madhu Bhargavi Chandra, Henri Fero, Fahad Alabbas","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04195-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-026-04195-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of anti-CD38-containing quadruplet and triplet regimens in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (TIE-NDMM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to April 30, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing anti-CD38-based quadruplet and triplet regimens were analysed for outcomes including efficacy and toxicity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six RCTs with 2089 patients were included. Quadruplet regimens yielded significantly greater PFS (HR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.39-0.61; P < 0.00001, I<sup>2</sup> = 56%) and OS (HR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44-0.93; P = 0.02, I<sup>2</sup> = 70%) than triplet regimens. The addition of anti-CD38 increased the rates of MRD negativity (RR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.32-2.89, P = 0.0008, I<sup>2</sup> = 89%) and sustained MRD negativity at ≥ 12 months (RR 2.70, 95% CI: 1.54-4/75, P = 0.0005, I<sup>2</sup> = 80%), despite a slight increase in severe adverse events (RR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.30, P = 0.006, I<sup>2</sup> = 17%) and grade 3/4 infections (RR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.14-1.6, P = 0.0004, I<sup>2</sup> = 0%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Anti-CD38-based quadruplet regimens are superior to triplet regimens for non-frail TIE-NDMM patients, improving key efficacy outcomes with manageable safety concerns.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147608875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Outcomes of elranatamab in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: prognostic impact of monocyte count, MyCARe, and R2-ISS.","authors":"Taku Kikuchi, Shotaro Sugita, Ukyo Kondo, Miyu Watanabe, Chiaki Matsumoto, Moe Nomura-Yogo, Kodai Kunisada, Kota Sato, Tomomi Takei, Mizuki Ogura, Yu Abe, Osamu Hosoya, Tadao Ishida, Nobuhiro Tsukada","doi":"10.1007/s12185-025-04127-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12185-025-04127-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Elranatamab, a bispecific antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen and CD3, has demonstrated efficacy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, real-world evidence is limited, and prognostic factors have not been sufficiently evaluated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively analyzed patients with RRMM receiving elranatamab between June 2024 and July 2025. Responses were assessed using the International Myeloma Working Group criteria. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate log-rank analysis, including R2-ISS at elranatamab initiation (dynamic R2-ISS) and modified MyCARe risk, with positivity defined as any detectable plasma cells in peripheral blood.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-seven patients were evaluated (median age, 67 years; prior lines, 5). Median follow-up was 7.5 (median PFS, 9.7) months. One-year OS was 66.3%. The overall response rate was 67.6%, and 45.9% achieved at least a very good partial response. Extramedullary disease, plasma cells in the peripheral blood, and high-risk cytogenetics were adverse features. A baseline monocyte count < 300/µL, high-risk classification by modified MyCARe, and dynamic R2-ISS stage IV were significantly associated with shorter PFS and OS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Elranatamab was effective in real-world settings. Baseline monocyte count, modified MyCARe risk, and dynamic R2-ISS may serve as practical prognostic tools.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"570-579"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145668033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel agents and therapeutic advances in T cell lymphoma.","authors":"Yuko Shirouchi, Dai Maruyama","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04165-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12185-026-04165-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive lymphomas with generally poor outcomes. CHOP or CHOP-like regimens have long been the standard frontline therapy; however, the addition of brentuximab vedotin has improved overall survival and established a new standard of care for CD30-positive PTCL. Despite this advance, the outcomes of relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease remain dismal. In recent years, multiple novel agents have been developed for the treatment of PTCL, particularly for R/R settings. Molecular profiling has refined disease classifications, identifying subtypes such as nodal T follicular helper (TFH) lymphoma, PTCL-GATA3, and PTCL-TBX21, which differ in their pathogenesis, prognosis, and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Epigenetic modulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors and an EZH1/2 inhibitor, have demonstrated particularly high activity in TFH-derived subtypes, supporting the integration of biomarker-driven patient selection as a path toward precision medicine in PTCL. This review summarizes current insights into the genetic landscape, recent clinical advances in novel agents, and future perspectives on therapeutic stratification, highlighting the need to translate molecular insights into durable clinical benefits for patients with PTCL.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"496-503"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146062823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Efficacy and safety of romiplostim with horse anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine in acquired aplastic anemia.","authors":"Shuku Sato, Emi Sawazaki, Shun Tsunoda, Wataru Kamata, Tomiteru Togano, Yotaro Tamai, Ryuji Tanosaki","doi":"10.1007/s12185-026-04188-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12185-026-04188-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of high-dose romiplostim (ROMI) combined with horse anti-thymocyte globulin (hATG) and cyclosporine A (CyA) as first-line immunosuppressive therapy for aplastic anemia (AA). We retrospectively analyzed eight patients who received hATG + CyA + ROMI at a single institution between October 2023 and January 2025. ROMI was initiated at 10 μg/kg/week and escalated to 20 μg/kg. Hematologic responses were evaluated at weeks 14 and 27. At week 27, the overall response rate was 100% and the complete response rate was 85.7%. Only one episode of grade ≥ 3 anaphylaxis attributed to hATG was observed. High-dose ROMI combined with hATG and CyA demonstrated favorable efficacy and tolerability as a first-line treatment for transfusion-dependent AA. However, larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"516-520"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147432731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Iron deficiency anemia perturbs erythrocyte morphology and may promote eryptosis.","authors":"Baishali Basak, Payel Biswas, Sutithi Dey, Ayantika Paul, Ipsita Chakraborty, Anjana Ray, Tuphan Kanti Dolai, Rajen Haldar","doi":"10.1007/s12185-025-04126-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12185-025-04126-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) represents a major public health concern in India, affecting mostly women of reproductive age due to increased iron demands throughout their reproductive life. However, specific erythrocyte morphology and its possible consequences in this population remain unexplored.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study systematically examined erythrocyte abnormalities in reproductive-age women with IDA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-five women diagnosed with IDA and 25 age-matched healthy women were recruited. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and spectrophotometry were used in this study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients with IDA showed significant counts of elliptocytes, microcytes, stomatocytes, and spherocytes, which were negatively correlated with hemoglobin concentration. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity were strongly correlated with microcytes and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. AFM revealed a notable presence of disrupted membrane topology and roughness in IDA patients. Redox balance assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant power of plasma and intracellular ROS levels was significantly impaired. IDA erythrocytes also showed increased intracellular Ca<sup>2</sup>⁺ and phosphatidyl serine externalization.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients with IDA exhibited not only significant hematologic impairment but also morphologically altered erythrocytes and redox imbalance, which could promote eryptosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":13992,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"521-534"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145667907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}