Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare hematologic malignancy with a bimodal distribution of incidence in both pediatric/young adult and elderly patient populations. Despite the high complete remission rate, there is a high rate of relapse necessitating a need for therapy options in the relapsed/refractory setting. Given this, treatment paradigms for ALL have shifted towards targeted therapies and away from high-intensity chemotherapy. The efficacy of inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) in the relapsed/refractory setting for pediatric and adult populations has led to incorporation of this targeted therapy into frontline regimens. In this review, the role of InO in the frontline, measurable residual disease (MRD) positive and relapsed/refractory settings is highlighted. InO is a directed antibody-drug conjugate that binds to CD22 on the surface of leukemic blasts. The cell internalizes InO, prompting enzymatic cleavage in the lysosome that releases calicheamicin, inducing double-strand DNA breaks and causing apoptosis. However, off-target effects can lead to severe adverse events such as hepatotoxicity, including veno-occlusive disease, and myelosuppression. Prior studies have supported its use in the relapsed or refractory treatment setting; however, newer studies incorporating InO in the frontline have shown promising results. Newer studies have also shown evidence of utilization of InO in specific sub-populations of B-cell ALL, including those with MRD-positive disease and Philadelphia-positive (Ph +) disease, and as bridging therapy with CAR T-cell therapy, and in the post-transplant maintenance setting. This review evaluated the effectiveness of InO in clinical practice, associated adverse events, future directions in specific patient populations. Despite recent advancements, patients with B-cell ALL tend to have poorer outcomes, especially in the adult population. Future research and larger scale prospective studies are indicated to evaluate the efficacy of InO in different lines of therapy.

The goal of this review is to provide an updated synthesis of therapeutic advances and remaining controversies in the management of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph +) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We sought to examine how modern tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), immunotherapies, and response-adapted strategies have reshaped treatment paradigms, including the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT), central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis, and emerging chemotherapy-free approaches. Successive generations of TKIs have transformed Ph + ALL from a uniformly fatal leukemia into a highly treatable disease, with dasatinib or ponatinib-based and TKI-blinatumomab regimens achieving high rates of complete molecular remission. Achieving early measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity predicts long-term survival and identifies patients who may safely defer allo-HCT. Genomic profiling has uncovered prognostic subgroups, notably IKZF1^plus, T315I mutated, and multilineage disease, which remain resistant or challenging to current therapy. Novel agents, including asciminib and olverembatinib, are expanding options for resistant or relapsed disease, while CAR-T cell therapy and next-generation bispecific T-cell engagers are emerging as promising tools for refractory and post-TKI settings. Ph + ALL exemplifies the paradigm shift toward precision, MRD-directed, and chemotherapy-sparing treatment. Integrating potent TKIs with immunotherapy enables deep and durable remissions, potentially eliminating the need for upfront transplantation in selected patients. Future research should define molecular predictors of treatment-free remission, optimize CNS prophylaxis in targeted regimens, and establish standardized monitoring for safe TKI discontinuation.

In this review, we highlight conventional agents and novel emerging therapeutic strategies to treat anemia in MF. Anemia is a common and challenging feature of myelofibrosis (MF). The pathobiology of anemia is multifactorial, including progressive bone marrow fibrosis, decreased erythropoiesis due to high hepcidin levels leading to iron sequestration in the reticuloendothelial system, hypersplenism, erythropoiesis inhibition by myelosuppressive JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib, fedratinib), and others. MF-associated anemia has a negative impact on survival. Conventional agents to manage anemia include erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, danazol, corticosteroids, and immunomodulatory agents, but responses are infrequent and lack durability. Notable advancements have emerged in developing novel treatments for anemia in MF, including the regulatory approval of momelotinib (ACVR1/JAK1/2 inhibitor) in 2023 and development of novel promising agents targeting hemojuvelin and activins. Momelotinib and pacritinib (ACVR1/JAK2 inhibitor) are the preferred JAK inhibitors for patients with cytopenias (anemia, thrombocytopenia). Luspatercept and elritercept are activin receptor ligand traps, promoting erythroid maturation and late-stage erythropoiesis. Currently, luspatercept is being evaluated in a phase 3 trial (INDEPENDENCE™) for anemia in MF patients who are on a JAK2 inhibitor and require transfusions, and in a phase 2 trial (ODYSSEY) in combination with momelotinib in MF patients who are transfusion dependent, whether or not on a JAK inhibitor. Interim results of the RESTORE trial demonstrated that elritercept significantly decreased transfusions in MF patients. DISC-0974 is a first-in-class anti-hemojuvelin (positive hepcidin regulator) monoclonal antibody that decreased hepcidin expression, increased serum iron, and enhanced erythropoiesis in anemic patients with MF in a phase 1b/2 study. Burgeoning studies of novel anemia-targeted agents and combinations are significantly improving the quality of life and outcomes of patients with MF. The recent approval of momelotinib to treat MF with anemia and the emerging novel anemia-directed strategies in early and advanced clinical development have ushered in a new era in the treatment of MF-related anemia.

Purpose of ReviewPolycythemia vera (PV) is a Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) caused by a somatic gain-of-function mutation of the Janus kinase2 (JAK2) gene in hematopoietic stem and peripheral blood cells, leading to erythrocytosis which is often accompanied by leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. Historically, PV management has mainly focused on maintaining hematocrit (HCT) levels below 45% to reduce major thrombotic risk, improving symptoms and monitoring disease progression. Phlebotomy alone or in combination with cytoreductive therapy, where indicated, form the current standard of care. This review explores the potential correlation between the depletion of neoplastic clones in patients with PV with the achievement of durable complete molecular remission (CMR), and long-term treatment effects on thrombotic events and survival, as well as implications for re-defining treatment goals. Recent FindingsPast management practices do not ideally optimize outcomes for patients with PV. Specifically, these approaches do not adequately address the underlying risk of disease progression driven by the neoplastic cells carrying mutated JAK2 and additional mutations.Patients with PV who are treated with interferon-based therapies can achieve complete hematologic response, together with a significant reduction of JAK2V617F Variant Allele Frequency (VAF). Continued reduction of the JAK2VAF may lead to CMR and is correlated with in vivo drug exposures and durable improvement of thrombotic risk, as well as increased probability of event-free survival (EFS). The results indicate that reduction in JAK2V617F VAF, and by extension depletion of neoplastic cells, is essential for favorable long term clinical outcomes in patients with PV.SummaryEmerging data suggest a direct correlation between deep reduction in JAK2V617F VAF as a measure of suppressing neoplastic cells and improved probability of EFS and delayed disease progression. These observations suggest a treatment paradigm shift from solely managing symptoms and preventing thrombotic events, toward achieving durable clonal depletion with potential for remission and preventing transformation to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia.Integration of molecular biomarkers into risk-adapted treatment algorithms may enable personalized approaches to achieve deep molecular responses and durable disease modification in PV. Clonal molecular response, therefore, deserves attention as a biomarker of response that should be evaluated in clinical trials, as well as for treatment monitoring.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11899-025-00758-x.

Purpose of ReviewThe landscape of myelofibrosis (MF) has changed since the discovery of the JAK2 V617F mutation and subsequent development of JAK inhibitors (JAKis). However, treatment with JAKis remain a challenge. In this review we critically analyze the strengths and limitations of currently available JAK inhibitors.Recent FindingsIn MF patients, JAK inhibitors have been associated with reduced symptom burden and spleen size, as well as improved survival. However, durability of response and development of treatment resistance remain an issue. Recently, there has been increased efforts to optimize treatment with the development of highly selective JAK inhibitors, as well as use of combination agents to counter disease resistance through targeting aberrant signaling pathways.SummaryTreatment of MF patients with JAKi therapy can be challenging but the development of more potent and selective JAK inhibitors, as well as combination therapies, represent exciting treatment advances in this field.

Purpose of ReviewMyelofibrosis (MF) includes prefibrotic primary MF (pre-PMF), overt-PMF and secondary MF (SMF). Median overall survival (OS) of pre-PMF, overt-PMF and SMF patients is around 14 years, seven and nine years, respectively. Main causes of mortality are non-clonal progression and transformation into blast phase.Recent FindingsDiscoveries on the impact of the biological architecture on OS have led to the design of integrated scores to predict survival in PMF. For SMF, OS estimates should be calculated by the specific MYSEC-PM (MYelofibrosis SECondary-prognostic model). Information on the prognostic role of the molecular landscape in SMF is accumulating. Crucial treatment decisions for MF patients could be now supported by multivariable predictive algorithms. OS should become a relevant endpoint of clinical trials.SummaryPrognostic models guide prediction of OS and treatment planning in MF, therefore, their timely application is critical in the personalized approach of MF patients.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is integral in the management of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This review discusses the current methods used to evaluate MRD as well as the interpretation, significance, and incorporation of MRD in current practice. New molecular technologies have allowed the detection of MRD to levels as low as 10- 6. The most used techniques to evaluate MRD are multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS). Each method varies in terms of advantages, disadvantages, and MRD sensitivity. MRD negativity after induction treatment and after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an important prognostic marker that has consistently been shown to be associated with improved outcomes. Blinatumomab, a new targeted therapy for Ph + ALL, demonstrates high efficacy in eradicating MRD and improving patient outcomes. In the relapsed/refractory setting, the use of inotuzumab ozogamicin and tisagenlecleucel has shown promise in eradicating MRD. The presence of MRD has become an important predictive measure in Ph + ALL. Current studies evaluate the use of MRD in treatment decisions, especially in expanding therapeutic options for Ph + ALL, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, targeted antibody therapies, chimeric antigen receptor cell therapy, and HCT.

T-cell lymphomas (TCLs) are a group of rare subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma derived from mature T-lymphocytes. Recent updates in lymphoma classification based on the cell-of-origin pathogenesis have shed new light on TCL epidemiology and outcomes. Contemporary regional consortia and international studies, including those conducted recently in Asia and South America, have provided an updated delineation of the major subtypes across various global regions. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), remains the most common subtype globally except in Asia, where extra-nodal NK-T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) has emerged as the most prevalent. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is the second most common subtype globally except in South America where its incidence falls behind adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and ENKTL. ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) has been recognized as the second most common subtype in some parts of South America. Studies on the newly classified breast implant-associated ALCL (BIA-ALCL) are beginning to reveal its distribution and risk factors. Deciphering the epidemiology of TCLs is a challenging endeavor due to the rarity of these entities and ongoing refinement in classification. Collaborative efforts on prospective registries based on the most current WHO classifications will help capture the true epidemiology of TCL subtypes to better focus resources for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic efforts.

Telomere biology disorders (TBD) encompass several illnesses caused by underlying mutations in telomere maintenance leading to premature telomere attrition and telomere dysfunction. These disorders have unique features but share common disease manifestations including pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis, and bone marrow failure. The goals of this article are to provide an overview of the gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of TBD, focusing on their pathophysiology, clinical disease states, and current management strategies. Telomere shortening has been observed in patients with chronic liver disease and is associated with a higher risk of progression to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. While the directionality of the association between telomere dysfunction and senescence on liver disease is not fully understood, research in TBD may provide clarity and could lead to future therapies for this increasingly prevalent disease. While treatment options remain limited in TBD-associated liver disease, recent studies point to the safety and efficacy of liver transplantation among patients with end-stage liver disease.

This study aimed to summarize evidence and provide consensus-based guidelines for management of transplantation in patients with telomere biology disorders (TBD). Specifically, this review focuses on clinical management of lung, liver, and bone marrow transplantation in TBD patients. TBD patients have specific unique biological vulnerabilities such as T cell immunodeficiency, susceptibility to infections, hypersensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, and cytopenias. Furthermore, multiple organ involvement at diagnosis makes clinical management especially challenging due to higher degree of organ damage, and stress-induced telomeric crisis. Sequential and combined organ transplants, development of novel radiation and alkylator-free conditioning regimen, and use of novel drugs for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis are some of the recent updates in the field. Multidisciplinary management is essential to optimize transplant outcomes in patients with TBD. In this review, we provide consensus-based transplant management guidelines for clinical management of transplant in TBD.