{"title":"Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia - novel approaches.","authors":"Seth E Karol, Gwenaelle Gueguen","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000795","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000795","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Despite higher remission and survival rates than observed in adults, children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still suffer unacceptably high rates of treatment failure and late toxicities. Ongoing work aims to improve these long-term outcomes through improvements in the utilization of current therapies, the incorporation of novel chemotherapy agents, and improved use of current or novel cellular and immunotherapeutic approaches. In this review, we highlight recent advances and contextualize them within this evolving landscape.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Novel agents such as the B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor venetoclax and the menin inhibitors have shown promising results with implications for large portions of the pediatric AML population. Older agents are being used in novel combinations (e.g. gemtuzumab ozogamicin) or are expanding into pediatrics after longer use in adults (e.g. Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 inhibitors). Finally, immunotherapeutic approaches offer new options for patients with high-risk or relapsed disease.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recent findings have altered the landscape of pediatric AML therapy with exciting immediate and long-term implications. Ongoing studies may soon define this as standard as well. After many years in which few new therapies have become available for children with AML, recent and upcoming advances may soon dramatically alter the therapeutic landscape.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"47-52"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138048852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Current Opinion in Hematology.","authors":"Stephanie Halene","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000799","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000799","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":"31 2","pages":"39"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139652242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The future of HOXA- expressing leukemias: Menin inhibitor response and resistance.","authors":"Daniela V Wenge, Scott A Armstrong","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000796","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000796","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>We provide an update on the successes and ongoing challenges of Menin inhibition as a novel approach for the treatment of patients with acute leukemias that express HOXA cluster genes including leukemias with KMT2A -rearrangements, NPM1 mutations or NUP98 -rearrangements. Initial clinical trials show promising response rates in heavily pretreated patients suggesting these inhibitors may have a significant impact on patient outcome. Furthermore, the development of resistance mutations that decrease drug binding affinity, validates Menin as a therapeutic target in human cancers. Therapeutic strategies aiming at overcoming and preventing resistance, are of high clinical relevance.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Several Menin inhibitor chemotypes have entered clinical trials. Acquired point mutations have recently been described as a mechanism of resistance towards Menin inhibitors. However, resistance can develop in absence of these mutations. Combination therapies are currently being investigated in preclinical models and in early phase clinical trials.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Given the remarkable overall response rates, shedding light on treatment options for patients whose leukemias develop resistance to Menin inhibitors is an imminent clinical need. Studying the underlying mechanisms to inform clinical decision making, and to potentially prevent the development of resistance is of outmost importance.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"64-70"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138447101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transfusion avoidance in myelodysplastic neoplasms.","authors":"Elizabeth A Griffiths","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000794","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000794","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are diseases of stem cell aging associated with complications from inadequate hematopoiesis (red cells, neutrophils and platelets) and variable risk for transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Those with low-risk disease also suffer and die from MDS-related complications. Among the most challenging is development of anemia and transfusion dependence, which impacts quality of life and is associated with reduced survival. Appreciating and measuring the quality-of-life impact, preventing (if possible), treating, and managing the complications from anemia in MDS are of critical importance.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent developments in basic science highlight the potential deleterious impact of iron overload within the developing red cell niche. Iron overload can compromise red cell maturation from healthy as well as malignant clones and produces an environment favoring expansion of mutant clonal cells, potentially driving disease progression. Observational studies in nontransfusion dependent MDS highlight that iron overload occurs even in the nontransfusion dependent. The newly approved (and established) therapies for management of MDS-related anemia work best when begun before patients become heavily transfusion-dependent.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Iron overload is detrimental to hematopoiesis. Understanding the benefit afforded by transfusion is critical to optimal application and patient reported outcomes can inform this. Recently developed therapies are active and optimized application may improve response.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"40-46"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11006404/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138048853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Berk Taskin, Tia C L Kohs, Joseph J Shatzel, Cristina Puy, Owen J T McCarty
{"title":"Factor XI as a therapeutic target in neuroinflammatory disease.","authors":"Berk Taskin, Tia C L Kohs, Joseph J Shatzel, Cristina Puy, Owen J T McCarty","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000787","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000787","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review summarizes the pathophysiology and potential therapeutic options for treatment of multiple sclerosis, a common neuronal demyelinating disorder affecting 2.2 million people worldwide. As an autoimmune disorder, multiple sclerosis is associated with neuroinflammation and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), although the cause linking multiple sclerosis with compromised barrier function remains ill-defined. It has been previously shown that coagulation factors, including thrombin and fibrin, exacerbate the inflammatory processes and permeability of the BBB.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Increased levels of the coagulation factor (F) XII have been found in patients presenting with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, with a deleterious role for FXII being validated in murine model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). Recent work has uncovered a role for the major substrate activated by FXII and thrombin, FXI, in the disorder of EAE. The study found that pharmacological targeting of FXI decreased clinical symptoms, lymphocyte invasion, and white matter destruction in a multiple sclerosis model.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>This review emphasizes the role of FXII and FXI in regulating barrier function and the immune response in neuroinflammation. These new findings broaden the potential for therapeutic utility of FXI inhibitors beyond thrombosis to include neuroinflammatory diseases associated with compromised BBB function, including multiple sclerosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"32-38"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10843631/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10308628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Modelling arterial thrombus formation in vitro.","authors":"Amelia Drysdale, Azziza Zaabalawi, Sarah Jones","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000789","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Models of arterial thrombus formation represent a vital experimental tool to investigate platelet function and test novel antithrombotic drugs. This review highlights some of the recent advances in modelling thrombus formation in vitro and suggests potential future directions.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Microfluidic devices and the availability of commercial chips in addition to enhanced accessibility of 3D printing has facilitated a rapid surge in the development of novel in-vitro thrombosis models. These include progression towards more sophisticated, 'vessel on a chip' models which incorporate vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Other approaches include the addition of branches to the traditional single channel to yield an occlusive model; and developments in the adhesive coating of microfluidic chambers to better mimic the thrombogenic surface exposed following plaque rupture. Future developments in the drive to create more biologically relevant chambers could see a move towards the use of human placental vessels, perfused ex-vivo. However, further work is required to determine the feasibility and validity of this approach.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recent advances in thrombus formation models have significantly improved the pathophysiological relevance of in-vitro flow chambers to better reflect the in-vivo environment and provide a more translational platform to test novel antithrombotics.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"16-23"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10715692/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41220736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Platelet mechanosensing as key to understanding platelet function.","authors":"Ingmar Schoen, Martin Kenny, Smita Patil","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000788","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000788","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review highlights how the perception of platelet function is evolving based on recent insights into platelet mechanobiology.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 mediates activation of free-flowing platelets under conditions of flow acceleration through mechanisms independent of adhesion receptors and classical activation pathways. Interference with the initiation of platelet migration or with the phenotypic switch of migrating platelets to a procoagulant state aggravates inflammatory bleeding. Mechanosensing of biochemical and biophysical microenvironmental cues during thrombus formation feed into platelet contractile force generation. Measurements of single platelet contraction and bulk clot retraction show promise to identify individuals at risk for hemorrhage.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>New findings unravel novel mechanotransduction pathways and effector functions in platelets, establishing mechanobiology as a pivotal component of platelet function. These insights highlight limitations of existing treatments and offer new potential therapeutic approaches and diagnostic avenues based on mechanobiological principles. Further extensive research is required to distinguish between core hemostatic and pathological mechanisms influenced by platelet mechanosensing.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"24-31"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41241021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Platelet lifespan and mechanisms for clearance.","authors":"Olga An, Carsten Deppermann","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000792","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000792","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Activated or aged platelets are removed from circulation under (patho)physiologic conditions, the exact mechanism of platelet clearance under such conditions remains unclear and are currently being investigated. This review focuses on recent findings and controversies regarding platelet clearance and the disruption of platelet life cycle.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The platelet life span is determined by glycosylation of platelet surface receptors with sialic acid. Recently, it was shown that platelet activation and granule release leads to desialylation of glycans and accelerated clearance of platelets under pathological conditions. This phenomenon was demonstrated to be a main reason for thrombocytopenia being a complication in several infections and immune disorders.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Although we have recently gained some insight into how aged platelets are cleared from circulation, we are still not seeing the full picture. Further investigations of the platelet clearance pathways under pathophysiologic conditions are needed as well as studies to unravel the connection between platelet clearance and platelet production.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"6-15"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71415372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The many faces of the megakaryocytes and their biological implications.","authors":"Karen Guo, Kellie R Machlus, Virginia Camacho","doi":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000793","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOH.0000000000000793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Single-cell RNA sequencing studies have revealed transcriptional heterogeneity within the megakaryocytic lineage and the identified unique subsets. In this review, we discuss the functional and phenotypic plasticity of these subpopulations as well as the impacts on health and disease.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Megakaryocytes (MKs) can be transcriptionally categorized into platelet generating, niche supporting, immune, and cycling cells, which are distinguished by their unique gene expression patterns and cellular markers. Additionally, a significant population of these cells has been established to reside in the nonhematopoietic tissues and they display enhanced immune-related characteristics. Combined with the location in which the megakaryocytes exist, these cells can play unique roles dictated by their current environment and biological needs, including responding to changes in pathogen exposure.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Advances in megakaryocyte research has elucidated the existence of multiple subpopulations of MKs that serve different functions. These subpopulations implicate a greater potential for MKs to be regulators of health and suggest new avenues for treatments and therapies in related diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":55196,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Hematology","volume":" ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10842450/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71429362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}