Single-cell immune profiling reveals a developmentally distinct CD4+ GM-CSF+ T-cell lineage that induces GI tract GVHD
Piper et al investigated the molecular characteristics of GM-CSF+ CD4+ T-cell subsets that can be found in the intestines during murine acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and have been previously reported to promote intestinal GVHD. With the help of single cell RNA and T-cell receptor sequencing, this study shows that GM-CSF+ T cells consist of a heterogenous pool of T-effector cells and reports several molecular features of GM-CSF+ IFN-γ- T cells. Molecular insight into alloreactive GM-CSF+ T-cell subset diversity is of importance to identify targetable molecules and/or pathways within this functionally important T-cell population.
Improving eligibility criteria for first-line trials for patients with DLBCL using a US-based Delphi-method survey
First-line randomized controlled trials for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have been largely negative, which may be due to eligibility criteria that limits enrollment of poor-risk patients who require immediate treatment. Harkins et al reported on an important initiative to streamline eligibility criteria for first-line DLBCL trials that focused on improving evidence of future clinical trials. The group conducted a Delphi-method survey with lymphoma experts in the United States to define recommendations for essential and potentially unnecessary enrollment criteria for modern first-line DLBCL.
A multicenter retrospective study of polatuzumab vedotin in patients with large B-cell lymphoma after CAR T-cell therapy
Gouni and colleagues reported on a retrospective multicenter review of polatuzumab vedotin (PV) in patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) progression post-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. While CD19 CAR T-cell therapy has shown efficacy and prolonged progression-free survival in relapsed patients with LBCL, the majority of patients treated with current generations of CD19 CAR T platforms will experience relapse, and outcomes for these patients is dismal.
Deficiency of SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses after vaccination in long-term allo-HSCT survivors translates into abated humoral immunity
Einarsdottir et al reported on a prospective study evaluating the humoral and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in 50 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients and 39 healthy controls. While the safety domains and immunogenicity have previously been reported, the authors described a novel finding that eliciting a poor T-cell response following vaccination in this population is associated with a decline in the humoral response (ie antibody levels).
Utility of PET/CT in assessing early treatment response in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by diverse clinical presentations. Biochemical assessment of the plasma cell malignancy is often used to monitor treatment responses while imaging modalities are known to harbor prognostic value. In this article, Charalampous and colleagues further examined the prognostic value of fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scanning in patients with newly diagnosed MM and at 6 months posttreatment. The authors found that PET/CT imaging confers a significant prognostic advantage in patients with MM even after adjustments are made for multiple predictive variables.
A novel mouse model of type 2N VWD was developed by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and recapitulates human type 2N VWD
In this article, Shi et al described the generation of a novel mouse model that recapitulates human von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 2N using CRISPR/Cas technology. The model is validated by determining von Willebrand factor (VWF) and FVIII plasma levels as well as by assessing the extent of endogenous and exogenous VWF-FVIII complex assembly, thus demonstrating the potential use of this model in translational research on human VWD type 2N.
