ER Red-Cell Antigens - A New Blood Group System?

In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss new research revealing that the mechanosensory ion channel Piezo1 is the elusive carrier molecule of the Er blood group antigens, thus establishing a new blood group system. Next, we review results of a randomized phase 3 trial of enasidenib versus conventional treatment in late-stage mutant-IDH2 relapsed or refractory AML. Although the primary endpoint of overall survival was not met, investigators say the risk benefit ratio remains positive. Finally, we’ll review a study showing a clinically significant risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infections in patients with B-cell malignancies despite vaccination and pre-exposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab-cilgavimab during the Omicron era. However, hospitalization rates in the study were low and no deaths were reported.