Blood Podcast

Review Series on Platelet Heterogeneity

In this Review Series episode, Blood Associate Editor, Dr. Elisabeth Battinelli discusses the Platelet Heterogeneity with authors Drs. Craig Morrell, Larry Frelinger, and Leo Nicolai.  Find the full review series in volume 146 issue 24 of Blood.  [https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/146/24/2847/556815/Introduction-to-a-review-series-on-platelet]

Special Episode: Maternal Health in Hematology

In this special episode, Blood editor Dr. Laura Michaelis interviews Dr. Arielle Langer and Blood Associate editor Dr. Marc Blondon for this special Maternal Health episode. In honor of the second Maternal Health compendium, both discuss their papers featured in this special collection.  Featured Articles:  * β-Thalassemia minor is associated with high rates of worsening anemia in pregnancy [https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024026736] * Longitudinal profile of estrogen-related thrombotic biomarkers after cessation of combined hormonal contraceptives [https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2023021717] See the entire Maternal Health Compendium Second Edition [https://ashpublications.org/collection/42819/Maternal-Health-Compendium-2025]

Analysis of IELSG37 Trial Results and PF4 in Stem Cell Aging

In this week's episode, Blood editor Dr. James Griffin speaks with Drs. Emanuele Zucca and Sandra Pinho about their latest articles published in Blood. Dr. Zucca discusses his second analysis of the IELSG37 trial, where findings suggested that R-CHOP21 rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, administered every 21 days) may be a suboptimal frontline regimen for PMBCL. Dr. Pinho discusses the aging megakaryocytic niche and its influence on the age-associated decline in HSC and progenitor cell function. The authors demonstrate that remodeling of the megakaryocytic niche and associated platelet factor 4 (PF4) downregulation are central mechanisms driving HSC aging. Featured Articles:  * Impact of immunochemotherapy regimens on outcomes of patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma in the IELSG37 trial  [https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/146/23/2758/548472/Impact-of-immunochemotherapy-regimens-on-outcomes] * Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging [https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/146/23/2765/548479/Platelet-factor-4-regulates-hematopoietic-stem]

Fixed-Duration Epcoritamab Combination Therapy for Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma and Pre-Transplant Strategies for GVHD post-HSCT

In this week's episode, Blood editor Dr. Laurie Sehn interviews authors Drs. Lorenzo Falchi and Robert Levy on their latest papers published in Blood Journal. Dr. Falchi discusses his work on an open-label, multicenter phase 1b/2 study evaluating fixed-duration epcoritamab with rituximab and lenalidomide in 108 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Dr. Levy shares his work on demonstrating that in vivo expansion of Tregs in recipients prior to transplant is possible by activating TNFRSF25 (also known as death receptor 3) in combination with low-dose interleukin-2 in preclinical models. Both papers showed impressive and promising results for the treatment of lymphoma and GVHD. Featured Articles * Fixed-Duration Epcoritamab Plus R2 Drives Favorable Outcomes in Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma [https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025029909] * Pre-transplant targeting of TNFRSF25 and CD25 stimulates recipient Tregs in target tissues ameliorating GVHD post-HSCT [https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2025028418]

Advancing Blood Disorder Treatments Through Precision Therapeutics

In this week's episode, Blood editor Dr. Laura Michaelis interviews authors Drs. Terri Parker and Peter Lenting on their latest papers published in Blood Journal. Dr. Lenting discusses his work on introducing a new therapeutic approach to von Willebrand disease with the development of a novel bispecific antibody (KB-V13A12) that links endogenous mouse VWF to albumin, extending VWF half-life twofold with cessation of provoked bleeding. Dr Parker shares the results of a 43-patient phase 2 study that evaluates the single agent isatuximab, a CD38 monoclonal antibody, in patients with relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis. With a hematological response rate of 77%, organ response rates between 50 and 57%, and an excellent safety profile, the current study lays the foundation for future use of isatuximab across treatment settings and combination strategies. Featured Articles * Isatuximab for Relapsed and/or Refractory AL Amyloidosis: Results of a Prospective Phase 2 Trial (SWOG S1702) [https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/146/21/2507/547199/Isatuximab-for-relapsed-and-or-refractory-AL] * A bispecific nanobody for the treatment of von Willebrand disease type 1 [https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/146/21/2597/547103/A-bispecific-nanobody-for-the-treatment-of-von]