Cellular therapies have revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies since their conception and rapid development. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is the most widely applied cellular therapy. Since the Food and Drug Administration approved two CD19-CAR-T products for clinical treatment of relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 2017, five more CAR-T cell products were subsequently approved for treating multiple myeloma or B cell malignancies. Moreover, clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for treating other hematological malignancies are ongoing. Both China and the United States have contributed significantly to the development of clinical trials. However, CAR-T cell therapy has many limitations such as a high relapse rate, adverse side effects, and restricted availability. Various methods are being implemented in clinical trials to address these issues, some of which have demonstrated promising breakthroughs. This review summarizes developments in CAR-T cell trials and advances in CAR-T cell therapy.
Humans ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics* ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/therapy* ; Multiple Myeloma/etiology* ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and laboratory characteristics of hematological tumors with different types of abnormalities in platelet derived growth factor β (PDGFRβ) gene. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 141 patients with abnormal long arm of chromosome 5 (5q) and comprehensive medical history data from Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University from 2009 to 2020, and their clinical data were collected. R-banding technique was used for chromosomal karyotyping analysis for the patient's bone marrow, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the PDGFRβ gene. The results of detection were divided into the amplification group, deletion group, and translocation group based on FISH signals. The three sets of data column crosstabs were statistically analyzed, and if the sample size was n >= 40 and the expected frequency T for each cell was >= 5, a Pearson test was used to compare the three groups of data. If N < 40 and any of the expected frequency T for each cell was < 5, a Fisher's exact test is used. Should there be a difference in the comparison results between the three sets of data, a Bonferroni method was further used to compare the data. RESULTS: In total 98 patients were detected to have PDGFRβ gene abnormalities with the PDGFRβ probe, which yielded a detection rate of 69.50% (98/141). Among these, 38 cases (38.78%) had PDGFRβ gene amplifications, 57 cases (58.16%) had deletions, and 3 (3.06%) had translocations. Among the 98 cases, 93 were found to have complex karyotypes, including 37 cases from the amplification group (97.37%, 37/38), 55 cases from the deletion group (96.49%, 55/57), and 1 case from the translocation group (33.33%, 1/3). Analysis of three sets of clinical data showed no significant gender preponderance in the groups (P > 0.05). The PDGFRβ deletion group was mainly associated with myeloid tumors, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (P < 0.001). The PDGFRβ amplification group was more common in lymphoid tumors, such as multiple myeloma (MM) (P < 0.001). The PDGFRβ translocation group was also more common in myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative tumors (MDS/MPN). CONCLUSION Tumors with PDGFRβ gene rearrangement may exhibit excessive proliferation of myeloproliferative tumors (MPN) and pathological hematopoietic changes in the MDS, and have typical clinical and hematological characteristics. As a relatively rare type of hematological tumor, in addition to previously described myeloid tumors such as MPN or MDS/MPN, it may also cover lymphoid/plasma cell tumors such as multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Humans ; Clinical Relevance ; Hematologic Neoplasms/genetics* ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Multiple Myeloma ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Retrospective Studies ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVE: To construct a myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) transplanted mouse model with JAK2-V617F, MPLW515L or CALR-Type I gene mutation, and establish a systematic evaluation system to verify the success of model construction. METHODS: The bone marrow c-kit⁺ cells of the mice were obtained by the following steps: The mice were killed by cervical dislocation, the femur, tibia and ilium were separated, and the bone marrow cells were collected. The c-kit⁺ cells were sorted after incubation with CD117 magnetic beads. The method of constructing mouse primary mutant cells is as follows: A gene mutation vector with a GFP tag was constructed by the retroviral system, and the retroviral vector was packaged into the Platinum-E cells to obtain the virus supernatant, and then used it to infect the c-kit⁺ cells of mice. The MPN mouse model was constructed as follows: the mouse primary c-kit⁺ cells containing the mutant genes were collected after infection, and then transplanted them via the tail vein into the female recipient mice of the same species which were irradiated with a lethal dose of gamma rays (8.0 Gy). The MPN mouse model was evaluated as follows: After transplantation, the peripheral blood of the mice was regularly collected from the tail vein to perform the complete blood count test, and the size of spleen and the degree of bone marrow fibrosis were estimated. RESULTS: The mouse c-kit⁺ cells with the mutant genes were successfully obtained from the bone marrow. MPN mouse model was successfully constructed: The peripheral blood cells of the MPN-transplanted mice carried exogenous implanted GFP-positive cells, and the white blood cells (WBC), platelet (PLT) and hematocrit (HCT) were all increased; the body weight loss, and the water and food intake were reduced in the transplanted mice; further pathological analysis showed that the transplanted mice displayed splenomegaly and bone marrow fibrosis. These results suggested that the MPN mouse model was successfully constructed. According to the common and different characteristics of the three MPN mouse model, a preliminary evaluation system for judging the success of MPN mouse model construction was summarized, which mainly included the following indicators, for example, the proportion of GFP-positive cells in the peripheral blood of mice; WBC, PLT and HCT; the degree of spleen enlargement and the bone marrow fibrosis. CONCLUSION The MPN mouse model with JAK2-V617F, MPLW515L or CALR-Type I gene mutation is successfully established by retroviral system, which can provide an important experimental animal model for the research of MPN pathogenesis and drug-targeted therapy.
Female ; Mice ; Animals ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; Myeloproliferative Disorders/genetics* ; Bone Marrow/pathology* ; Mutation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Neoplasms ; Janus Kinase 2/genetics*

Daratumumab is the first CD38 monoclonal antibody drug approved for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. It can bind to CD38 expressed by tumor cells, inhibit tumor cell growth and induce myeloma cell apoptosis through a variety of immune-related mechanisms. Meanwhile, CD38 is also expressed in other cells, including regulatory T cells, regulatory B cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of hematological tumor diseases other than non-multiple myeloma diseases. This article reviews the research progress and application of this part.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/pathology* ; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Cancer-associated fibroblasts （CAF） are a key component of the tumor microenvironment, which can secrete a variety of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, directly and indirectly support cancer cells, also alter the immune cellular environment by inhibiting the activity of immune effector cells and recruiting immunosuppressive cells, thereby allowing cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. CAF has been proven to be associated with the development, progression, and poor prognosis of solid tumors. However, the role of CAF in hematological malignancies is still unclear. This article reviews the research progress of CAF in hematological malignancies.
Humans ; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology* ; Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Fibroblasts/pathology*

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional small molecules by utilizing the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) to degrade proteins of interest. PROTACs have exhibited unprecedented efficacy and specificity in degrading various oncogenic proteins because of their unique mechanism of action, ability to target "undruggable" and mutant proteins. A series of PROTACs have been developed to degrade multiple key protein targets for the treatment of hematologic malignancy. Notably, PROTACs that target BCL-XL, IRAK4, STAT3 and BTK have entered clinical trials. The known PROTACs that have the potential to be used to treat various hematological malignancies are systematically summarized in this review.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism* ; Proteolysis Targeting Chimera

INTRODUCTION: Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines have been recommended for cancer patients to reduce the risk of severe disease. Anti-neoplastic treatment, such as chemotherapy, may affect long-term vaccine immunogenicity. METHOD: Patients with solid or haematological cancer were recruited from 2 hospitals between July 2021 and March 2022. Humoral response was evaluated using GenScript cPASS surrogate virus neutralisation assays. Clinical outcomes were obtained from medical records and national mandatory-reporting databases. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients were recruited, with 40 having haematological malignancies and the rest solid tumours. Among the participants, 204 (74.7%) were receiving active cancer therapy, including 98 (35.9%) undergoing systemic chemotherapy and the rest targeted therapy or immunotherapy. All patients were seronegative at baseline. Seroconversion rates after receiving 1, 2 and 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination were 35.2%, 79.4% and 92.4%, respectively. After 3 doses, patients on active treatment for haematological malignancies had lower antibodies (57.3%±46.2) when compared to patients on immunotherapy (94.1%±9.56, P<0.05) and chemotherapy (92.8%±18.1, P<0.05). SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in 77 (28.2%) patients, of which 18 were severe. No patient receiving a third dose within 90 days of the second dose experienced severe infection. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the benefit of early administration of the third dose among cancer patients.
Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Treatment Outcome ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Vaccination ; RNA, Messenger ; Antibodies, Viral ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine

Remarkable improvement relative to traditional approaches in the treatment of hematological malignancies by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has promoted sequential approvals of eight commercial CAR T products within last 5 years. Although CAR T cells' productization is now rapidly boosting their extensive clinical application in real-world patients, the limitation of their clinical efficacy and related toxicities inspire further optimization of CAR structure and substantial development of innovative trials in various scenarios. Herein, we first summarized the current status and major progress in CAR T therapy for hematological malignancies, then described crucial factors which possibly compromise the clinical efficacies of CAR T cells, such as CAR T cell exhaustion and loss of antigen, and finally, we discussed the potential optimization strategies to tackle the challenges in the field of CAR T therapy.
Humans ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/therapeutic use* ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; Hematologic Neoplasms/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm(BPDCN). METHODS: The clinical features, bone marrow morphology and immunophenotyping, treatment and prognosis of 4 patients with BPDCN were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: 4 patients had bone marrow， spleen and lymph nodes involvement， 2 patients had skin lesions， and 3 patients had central nervous system infiltration． Tailing phenomenon of abnormally cells could be seen in bone marrow. The immunophenotyping showed that CD56, CD4 and CD123 expression was observed in 4 patients， and CD304 in 3 patients． One patient refused chemotherapy and died early. Both patients achieved complete remission after the initial treatment with DA+VP regimen, 1 of them achieved complete remission after recurrence by using the same regimen again． One patient failed to respond to reduced dose of DA+VP chemotherapy, and then achieved complete remission with venetoclax+azacitidine. CONCLUSION The malignant cells in BPDCN patients often infiltrate bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes, and have specical phenotypes, with poor prognosis. The treatment should take into account both myeloid and lymphatic systems. The treatment containing new drugs such as BCL-2 inhibitors combined with demethylation drugs is worth trying.
Humans ; Dendritic Cells ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Neoplasms/pathology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Bone Marrow/pathology* ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Hematologic Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a hot topic in the field of researching tumor pathogenesis, and the importance in hematologic malignancies has been gradually being elucidated. LncRNA not only regulates hematological tumorigenesis and progression through affecting various biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, pluripotency and apoptosis; moreover, abnormal expression and mutation of lncRNA are closely related to drug resistance and prognosis. Thus lncRNA can be used as novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for hematological tumors. In this review, we will focus on the latest progress of lncRNA in hematological tumors to provide new ideas for the clinical diagnosis, prognostic evaluation together with research and development of target drugs for hematologic malignancies.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/genetics* ; Neoplasms ; Carcinogenesis/pathology* ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic