With hematologic research on the rise, the editors-in-chief of ASH’s three newest titles in the growing Blood portfolio of journals say they are eager to showcase the latest studies in specific areas of hematology.
After competitive international searches, the ASH Executive Committee selected Jorge Cortes, MD, Willem Fibbe, MD, and Patrick Gallagher, MD, to serve as the inaugural editors-in-chief of Blood Global Hematology, Blood Immunology and Cellular Therapy (Blood ICT), and Blood Red Cells and Iron (Blood RCI), respectively. All three new additions to the journals portfolio, which also includes Blood, Blood Advances, Blood Neoplasia, and Blood Vessels, Thrombosis & Hemostasis (Blood VTH), are set to launch in early 2025. They will be peer reviewed and open access.
Blood Global Hematology will feature original articles describing basic laboratory, translational, and clinical investigations in hematology research that address issues of global reach or with a global focus. The journal will also publish local adaptations of clinical guidelines, epidemiology and public health analyses, opinion articles, and prospective studies evaluating locally available treatments for blood disorders. The journal will have a particular focus on providing a new avenue for researchers who may have resource constraints or face health care delivery challenges.
Dr. Cortes, director of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, will establish an international editorial board for Blood Global Hematology, with representation from low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Cortes previously served as professor of medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is chairman of the International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Foundation, president of the Latin American Leukemia Net, and member of the International Steering Committee of the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology. He has been an associate editor for Blood and an active reviewer for other hematology journals.
“I’ve worked extensively with patients, clinicians, and investigators from all over the world, and I know firsthand the scale of global research,” said Dr. Cortes. “Blood Global Hematology will be a home for research done anywhere in the world and a voice for the global hematologic research community. Our aim will be for this journal to improve science and patient care worldwide.”
Blood ICT will cover cellular and non-cellular immunotherapies for hematologic conditions, as well as the underlying immunology, including research on monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T cells, gene therapies, and more.
Dr. Fibbe is the emeritus professor of hematology and stem cell biology at Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, and a member of the Netherlands Clinical Trial Competent Authority. Dr. Fibbe brings extensive international leadership experience to his role as a former president of the European Hematology Association and a committee member for organizations including the World Health Organization, the International Society for Experimental Hematology, and NetCord. His research focuses on hematopoietic stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapies.
“The therapies we will cover in Blood ICT apply broadly to both hematologic malignancies and classical blood disorders,” said Dr. Fibbe. “There is hardly any area of hematology that hasn’t benefited from these innovations. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of this new journal.”
Blood RCI will focus on red blood cells and feature research in areas such as inherited and acquired anemias, sickle cell disease, and cell production.
Dr. Gallagher is the director of the Center for Perinatal Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and professor of pediatrics at the Ohio State University. A longstanding ASH member, Dr. Gallagher currently serves on ASH’s Ernest Beutler Award Study Section, Working Group on Maternal Health in Hematology, and Subcommittee on Red Cell Biology. His research focuses on blood cell production, particularly in conditions that affect the production of red blood cells.
“Over the past several years, a lot of technical advances in red cell and iron biology topics have led to improvements in everything from laboratory diagnosis to consideration for treatment strategies,” said Dr. Gallagher. “In addition to covering these topics in Blood RCI, I hope to provide a home for other focused research that has been the focal point of my career.”
“We are proud of the strides we've made in growing the Blood journals portfolio to address the diverse needs of hematology and are excited to welcome Drs. Cortes, Fibbe, and Gallagher as our new editors-in-chief,” said Mohandas Narla, DSc, ASH 2024 president and distinguished scientist at New York Blood Center Enterprises. “These latest additions to the Blood journal family will continue upholding ASH’s longstanding commitment to publishing world-class, cutting-edge research and will provide unique forums for these more focused areas of hematology.”
Meet the Editors!
Attendees of the annual meeting have the opportunity to meet the new editors-in-chief and learn about their plans at the Blood Journals Studio. Check out the online program for details on session times and speakers.
