
Blood Podcast
The Blood Podcast summarizes content recently published in Blood, the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field of hematology.
Latest episodes

Aug 1, 2024 • 23min
Decitabine in older patients with AML; EPCR and sickle chronic kidney disease; lymphocyte depletion versus post-transplant cyclophosphamide for mismatched donor transplant for inborn errors of immunity
In this week's episode we’ll discuss the safety and efficacy of decitabine in older patients with AML; learn how heme-induced loss of renovascular endothelial protein C receptor promotes chronic kidney disease in sickle mice, and discuss the outcomes of treatment with HLA-mismatched HSCT with TCRab/CD19 lymphocyte depletion or post-HSCT cyclophosphamide for inborn errors of immunity. Featured Articles:Decitabine in older patients with AML: Quality of life results of the EORTC-GIMEMA-GMDS-SG randomized phase III trial Heme induced loss of renovascular endothelial protein C receptor promotes chronic kidney disease in sickle mice Outcomes of HLA-mismatched HSCT with TCRab/CD19 depletion or post-HSCT cyclophosphamide for inborn errors or immunity

Jul 25, 2024 • 22min
Impact of MRD-negative on PFS in myeloma; IPSS-R down-staging before transplant in MDS; hereditary angioedema and venous thromboembolism
In this week's episode we'll discuss minimal residual disease as an intermediate clinical endpoint for multiple myeloma. Then, we'll learn about IPSS-R downstaging before transplant in MDS. Finally we'll hear about the connection between hereditary angioedema and venous thromboembolism. Featured Articles:EVIDENCE meta-analysis: evaluating minimal residual disease as an intermediate clinical endpoint for multiple myeloma Does IPSS-R down-staging before transplantation improve the prognosis of patients with Myelodysplastic Neoplasms? Increased risk of venous thromboembolism [or VTE] in young and middle-aged individuals with hereditary angioedema: a family study

Jul 18, 2024 • 24min
Acalabrutinib, venetoclax and obinutuzumab in relapsed/refractory CLL; alternative donor transplantation for severe aplastic anemia; clonal relapse dynamics in AML following allogeneic HCT
In this week's episode we’ll discuss the safety and efficacy of acalabrutinib, venetoclax and obinutuzumab in relapsed/refractory CLL; learn more about alternative donor transplantation for severe aplastic anemia and discuss clonal relapse dynamics in acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.Featured Articles: Acalabrutinib, venetoclax and obinutuzumab in relapsed/refractory CLL: Final efficacy and ctDNA analysis of the CLL2-BAAG trial Alternative donor transplantation for severe aplastic anemia: a comparative study of the SAAWP EBMT Clonal relapse dynamics in acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Jul 11, 2024 • 20min
Clinical impact of CRh in AML; thrombosis features in a real-life PNH cohort; and restriction of <em>SOX11</em> expression to EBV-negative Burkitt lymphomas
In this week's episode we'll learn about the clinical benefit of complete remission with partial hematological recovery, or CRh, in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) treated with molecularly targeted drugs. Then we'll hear about a large cohort of patients with PNH were studied to detail PNH-related thrombotic events, unravel determinants of thrombosis, and evaluate anti-coagulation strategies. Finally, we'll see how new research shows that SOX11 expression is restricted to EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma, and is associated with a specific genetic landscape. Featured Articles:Complete Remission with Partial Hematological Recovery as a Palliative Endpoint for Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria-related thrombosis in the era of novel therapies: a 2043 patient/years analysis SOX11 expression is restricted to EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma and associates with molecular genetic features

Jul 4, 2024 • 23min
Mutational and transcriptional landscape of pediatric BCP lymphoblastic lymphoma; the role of platelet-derived TGF-1 in immune thrombocytopenia; phase 3 trial of mavorixafor in WHIM syndrome
In this week's episode we’ll discuss the mutational and transcriptional landscape of pediatric BCP lymphoblastic leukemia; learn more about the role of platelet-derived TGF-β1 in immune thrombocytopenia; and discuss the findings from a phase 3 trial of mavorixafor in WHIM syndrome.Featured Articles:Mutational and transcriptional landscape of pediatric B-cell precursor lymphoblastic lymphoma Platelet-derived TGF-β1 induces functional reprogramming of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in immune thrombocytopenia Phase 3 randomized trial of mavorixafor, CXCR4 antagonist, in WHIM syndrome

Jun 27, 2024 • 20min
GM-CSF coordinates shelter in the cytokine storm; Interleukin-1 as a therapeutic target in TTP; CAR T-cell outcomes across race and ethnicity in LBCL
In this week's episode we'll discuss new insights on the role of GM-CSF in establishing immune memory. The authors propose that the coordination of opposing immune memory programs, driven by GM-CSF, may be essential to efficient, yet controlled, innate immune responses. After that: Interleukin-1 inhibition in TTP. Researchers explore the potential of recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra, in a murine model of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura—an uncommon but potentially fatal disorder with limited therapeutic options. Finally, we'll learn about CAR T-cell therapy outcomes by race and ethnicity in large B-cell lymphoma. Non-Hispanic Black patients had lower rates of response and progression-free survival in axi-cel clinical trials and real-world data, raising awareness and giving further insights into potential inequitable access to care.Featured Articles:GM-CSF receptor expression determines opposing innate memory phenotypes at different stages of myelopoiesis Mortality, cardiac and cerebral damage reduction by IL-1 inhibition in a murine model of TTP Real-World and Clinical Trial Outcomes in Large B-cell Lymphoma with Axicabtagene Ciloleucel Across Race and Ethnicity

Jun 27, 2024 • 16min
Review Series on Oncogenic Signaling and Immune Evasion in Hematologic Malignancies
Introduced by Associate Editor Robert Zeiser, this Review Series focuses on the problem of immune escape by acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The series opens with a review of how AML escapes T-cell–driven elimination and then focuses on how p53 function impinges on AML recognition by immune cells. The series finishes with a summary of new approaches to tackling this major problem.Featured Series:Introduction to a review series on oncogenic signaling and immune evasion in hematologic malignancies

Jun 20, 2024 • 24min
Reassessing the CLL prognostic index; ADAMTS13 conformation and risk of relapse in immune-mediated TTP; haploidentical bone marrow transplant in sickle cell disease
In this week's episode we’ll discuss the prognostic value of the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia International Prognostic Index in the era of targeted therapies, learn how peak ADAMTS13 activity can be used to assess ADAMTS13 conformation and risk of relapse in immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and discuss the findings from a phase 2 trial of haploidentical bone marrow transplant in sickle cell disease. Featured ArticlesReassessing the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia International Prognostic Index in the era of targeted therapies Peak ADAMTS13 activity to assess ADAMTS13 conformation and risk of relapse in immune-mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura An international learning collaborative phase 2 trial for haploidentical bone marrow transplant in sickle cell disease

Jun 13, 2024 • 19min
A biomarker for disease severity in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome; loss of Dnmt3a confers resistance to IFNα; unrelated donor selection in HSCT with PTCy
In this week's episode we'll discuss assessing risk profile in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, or WAS. Then, we'll learn about how the loss of DNMT3A confers resistance to interferon-alpha in hematopoietic stem cells carrying the JAK2-V617F mutation. Finally, we'll explore unrelated donor selection for AML patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide.Featured Articles: Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome: A retrospective study on 577 patients defines the genotype as a predictive biomarker for disease severity and survivalLoss of Dnmt3a increased self-renewal and resistance to pegylated interferon-alpha in JAK2-V617F-positive myeloproliferative neoplasms Younger unrelated donors may be preferable over HLA match in the PTCy era: A study from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Jun 6, 2024 • 23min
Nilotinib with or without cytarabine for Philadelphia-positive AML; thrombosis risk in Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A; ctDNA improves prognostic prediction in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
In this week's episode we’ll discuss the safety and efficacy of nilotinib with or without cytarabine in Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia; learn more about thrombosis risk in double heterozygous carriers of Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A and discuss the utility of circulating cell-free tumor DNA in prognostic prediction in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.Featured Articles:Nilotinib with or without cytarabine for Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia Thrombosis risk in double heterozygous carriers of Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A in FinnGen and the UK Biobank ctDNA improves prognostic prediction in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma receiving ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone