Author: Editor

It is known that spliceosome gene mutations can drive hematological cancers, but there may also be neomorphic mutations at play. In this video, recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), Omar Abdel-Wahab, MD, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, talks about other essential biological pathways that can potentially drive disease if mutated, such as the nuclear export protein XPO1/CRM1. Dr Abdel-Wahab also alludes to a talk regarding co-existing mutations that we can expect at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2017 annual meeting.

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There is often a lack of communication about the strong evidence linking lifestyle to cancer risk. In this video, Annie Anderson, BSc, PhD, RD, FRCP from the University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, talks passionately about the Scottish Cancer Prevention Network (SCPN), an exemplary advocacy group. Prof. Anderson highlights the interesting and effective ways in which the SCPN disseminates lifestyle evidence on cancer risk reduction. This video was recorded at the 2017 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference, held in Liverpool, UK.

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“Health service personnel are paramount in endorsing and conveying lifestyle messages that reduce the risk of cancer in the public. Speaking at the 2017 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference, held in Liverpool, UK, Annie Anderson, BSc, PhD, RD, FRCP from the University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, highlights three exciting lifestyle programs that she is involved in for breast, bowel and colorectal cancers: ActWELL (ISRCTN11057518), BeWEL (ISRCTN53033856) and LivingWELL (ISRCTN13123470). These trials targeted patients in cancer screening settings and Prof. Anderson discusses why this is particularly effective. “

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There is extensive and durable evidence supporting the link between lifestyle and cancer recurrence, yet this evidence is not being effectively translated or implemented. In this video, Annie Anderson, BSc, PhD, RD, FRCP from the University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, reviews this evidence and highlights the need for all sectors and stakeholders to work collectively, to create a culture shift in society toward better lifestyles to help prevent cancer recurrence. This video was recorded at the 2017 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference, held in Liverpool, UK.

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“Lifestyle intervention trials rely heavily on cooperation from the patient group and thus, it is important to effectively engage these patients. Speaking at the 2017 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference, held in Liverpool, UK, Annie Anderson, BSc, PhD, RD, FRCP from the University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, shares her expertise in designing a successful intervention trial for elderly cancer patients. “

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“As a greater number of people are surviving cancer, this is an exciting time to determine the magnitude of effect that lifestyle has on their physical and mental wellbeing. In this interesting interview, Annie Anderson, BSc, PhD, RD, FRCP from the University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, discusses current lifestyle intervention trials that are being undertaken in cancer survivors, including NCT02750826 and NCT01570010. Prof. Anderson also addresses the challenges and issues with such trials. This video was recorded at the 2017 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference, held in Liverpool, UK. “

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Innovative research has begun to create a novel therapy that could potentially treat a variety of malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this interview, Ravindra Majeti, MD, PhD, from Stanford University, Stanford, CA discusses the critical role of CD47 and how it can be utilized to treat AML. Dr Majeti then describes the progress of exciting work using humanized antibodies to inhibit CD47, including NCT02216409 and NCT02678338. This interview was recorded at the International Conference of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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As research into the different aspects of treating leukemia develops there will be an increase in the number of targeted medications available, enabling more patients to be treated effectively. In this interview, Ravindra Majeti, MD, PhD, from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, provides us with an overview of the various forms of immunotherapies for leukemia, their side effects and the exclusive nature of certain types. This interview was recorded at the International Conference of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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This is an exciting time for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with the introduction of numerous novel combination therapies and the overall survival of patients increasing. In this intriguing video, Mark Levis, MD, PhD, from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, speaking from the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), discusses the most promising combination therapies and why he thinks that overall survival is increasing in AML.

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Currently, the majority of therapeutics that target splicing mutations in hematological malignancies are in the early or pre-clinical phases. In this video, Omar Abdel-Wahab, MD, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, discusses one such exciting trial, NCT02841540. This video was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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Mutations can change the function of a protein and thus be the driver of diseases. In this video, Omar Abdel-Wahab, MD, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, discusses mutations in RNA splicing factors that have been identified in patients with leukemia, highlighting these exciting new therapeutic targets. This video was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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Patient advocacy groups can be of great use to patients, giving them means to network with other patients and providing a direct source of information. In this interview, recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017, by the European School of Hematology (ESH), in Estoril, Portugal, Jane Churpek, MD, of the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, highlights some of benefits brought about by the formation of a patient advocacy group for patients diagnosed with familial platelet disorder.

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Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) increasingly appear to be influenced by genetic features, with new research attempting to provide a clearer understanding of how genetic predisposition can lead to the development of these diseases and their altered signaling pathways. In this interview, Jane Churpek, MD, of the University Chicago, IL, discusses the research currently underway in this area, such as that looking at germline RUNX1 mutations, and highlights the importance of having an understanding of disease progression. This video was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School…

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In recent years, the medical community has become aware of certain genetic factors that can predispose someone to developing hematological malignancies, such as leukemia. However, our understanding of the full extent of the genetic components of these illnesses is far from complete. In this interview, Jane Churpek, MD, of the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, describes the difficulties faced when treating a patient with leukemia while considering the hereditary aspects of the disease. Dr Churpek highlights some of the typical concerns of patients and the questions that may be asked in this scenario. This video was recorded at the International…

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Using kinase inhibitors, such as midostaurin, to treat acute myeloid leukemia typically only produces a partial response. Mark Levis, MD, PhD, from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, discusses why this is the case at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH). Dr Levis also highlights the challenges that current clinical trials of these inhibitors are trying to address.

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The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax has shown remarkable response rates in elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients when used in combination regimens. Speaking at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), Mark Levis, MD, PhD, from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, discusses how this, along with allogenic transplantation, has changed the way in which elderly AML patients are now being treated.

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“In this insightful interview, Mark Levis, MD, PhD, from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, talks about the four primary drugs that are being used to treat newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. These include midostaurin, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, idarubicin and enasidenib; all of which are targeted at different subgroups of AML. This interview was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH). “

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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is no longer thought to be just a single disease; thus, each subtype needs to be treated differently. In this interview, Mark Levis, MD, PhD, from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, talks to us about novel targeted agents for AML, including IDH inhibitors, FLT3 inhibitors and antimetabolites. Dr Levis highlights the pressure and rapid turnaround for molecular diagnostics to aid in this targeted treatment for each patient. This interview was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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It is still early days for immunotherapeutic strategies. Speaking from the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), Marion Subklewe, MD, of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany, discusses her interest in pre-clinical data and understanding the mechanism of action of immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia. Prof. Subklewe highlights the work on this subject to look forward to at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2017 congress.

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Cancers, such as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), evolve from repeated mutations; it is unlikely that one mutation alone causes cancer. In this interview, Tony Green, MD, PhD, of the University of Cambridge, discusses some interesting findings regarding the importance of the order of mutations that have been implicated in a cancer, such as JAK2 and TET2 in MPNs, and how the behavior of the disease and its effect on the patient can be affected by this. This video was recorded at the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Advances Day 2017 in London, UK.

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The discovery of various molecular risk factors for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) has revolutionized the way in which doctors diagnose these diseases, and the way that they determine the prognosis. Speaking from the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Advances Day 2017, London, UK, Tony Green, MD, PhD, of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, discusses some of the most important molecular discoveries that have changed the field of MPN diagnosis, such as the JAK2 V617F mutation. He also proposes a way in which the presence or absence of these mutations, combined with clinical data and outcomes, could be used to generate a patient knowledge…

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Nurses provide a high level of contact to a patient with cancer, which is essential in order to educate them and alleviate any concerns that they may have. In this interview, recorded at the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference 2017, Harrogate, UK, Nikki Hunter from the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, discusses the cautions that must be taken for cancer patients that are treated with immunotherapy, highlighting the importance of communication between the patient and nurse to ensure safe patient care.

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An acute oncology service works to manage the unexpected care needs of patients with cancer. In this interview, recorded at the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference 2017 in Harrogate, UK, Nikki Hunter, of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, explains how the increasing number of cancer patients being treated with immunotherapy means that each cancer center may require an immunotherapy Clinical Nurse Specialist in the future. She highlights the need to understand the full side effect profile of immunotherapies and thus how to best treat the patient.

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The use of immunotherapy in the UK as a treatment for cancer has increased over the past decade. In this interview, Nikki Hunter of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, gives us an overview of the experience of her center, whose immunotherapy use has grown since originally performing clinical trials on small patient cohorts. She highlights the resources and processes that have been introduced to aid in this treatment. This video was recorded at the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference 2017, held in Harrogate, UK.

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Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) play a key role for a cancer patient, in both performing clinical procedures, and offering psychological support and education. In this insightful interview, Nikki Hunter, of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust discusses the role of the CNS in the context of a patient being treated with immunotherapy, and the differences that come with the role as opposed to a patient who is being treated with conventional chemotherapy. This video was recorded at the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference 2017, held in Harrogate, UK.

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Conferences can be a fantastic opportunity to network within a certain profession, and get an idea of the challenges that are facing a profession as a whole. In this interview, Daniel Kelly, PhD, from the School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, discusses the importance of the UK Ocology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference. This video was recorded at the UKONS Annual Conference 2017, held in Harrogate, UK.

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Nurses in the UK are highly valued as part of the multidisciplinary health team. However, as Daniel Kelly, PhD, from the School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, discusses in this interview, this may not be the case in every country. Speaking from the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference 2017, Prof. Kelly discusses the upcoming European Nursing Oncology Society (EONS) leadership summit, which aims to raise the profile of leadership in nursing.

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Specialist cancer nurses play a vital role in improving patient care, in both clinical and psychological contexts. In this interview, Daniel Kelly, PhD, from the School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, discusses the ongoing Recognising European Cancer Nursing (RECaN) study by the European Nursing Oncology Society (EONS), which aims to increase recognition of the value and contribution of oncology nursing across Europe. Prof. Kelly highlights the potential improvements that could be made in the field of cancer nursing across Europe. This video was recorded at the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference 2017, held in Harrogate, UK.

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The current baseline imaging technology for multiple myeloma (MM) management includes PET and MRI. In this interview, Ravi Vij, MD, MBA, from the Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, WA, talks about how we can improve these existing technologies by referencing fusion scans, which can potentially provide a greater wealth of information. Dr Vij highlights the promising future of novel radiomimetics. This video was recorded at the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK.

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Radiological advances are now enabling us to decipher the disease biology of multiple myeloma (MM) in ways that were previously not possible. In this video, Ravi Vij, MD, MBA from the Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, WA, speaking from the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK, discusses the fascinating radio-imaging technology that is being used in MM today, as well as alluding to what the future holds in this field. Dr Vij highlights the potential this area holds for facilitating better prognosis and therapeutic decisions in MM.

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There are two new highly promising classes of treatments for multiple myeloma. Speaking from the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK, Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD from the UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR, discusses these exciting developments. Prof. Morgan also highlights the current revolutionary drug classes, which include proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory drugs.

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Within multiple myeloma (MM), there are biologically different diseases that are distinctly characterized. In this video, Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD from the UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR, speaking from the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK, talks passionately about this hot topic. He highlights the need for risk-stratified treatment in MM.

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There has been a genome-wide initiative to identify the copy number variants and mutational drivers of multiple myeloma. In this exciting interview, Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD, from the UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR, highlights the simplicity yet effectiveness of this initiative for determining prognosis and identifiying high-risk patients. This video was recorded at the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK.

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A full understanding of the methods available for diagnosis, prognosis and stratification are required in order to choose the optimal method depending on the cirumstances. In this video, recorded at the Myeloma 2017 meeting in Edinburgh, UK, Jens Lohr, MD, PhD, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses the selection and site bias of using bone marrow biopsies for multiple myeloma. Dr Lohr also questions how representative liquid biopsies are.

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Although there is a lot of hope and optimism surrounding immunotherapy, Marion Subklewe, MD, of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany, emphasizes that patients should be well informed on the pros and cons involved. For acute myeloid leukemia, patients should firstly be offered the most effective approved therapies. This interview was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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Cinical trials for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) typically only include relapsed/refractory patients, rather than patients at an earlier stages of the disease. Speaking from the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), Marion Subklewe, MD, of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany, explains the downsides of this, but highlights the reasons why this occurs.

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The use of T-cell engaging antibodies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment is in the very early stages. In this interview, Marion Subklewe, MD, of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany, highlights the importance of examining the T-cell engaging antibody constructs that are currently being used for acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment and applying the lessons learnt in this setting to AML. This interview was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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Many variables are involved in selecting the type of treatment that a patient can receive. Speaking from the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Haematology (ESH), Marina Konopleva, MD, PhD of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses the key factors involved in selecting acute myeloid leukemia patients for intensive treatment, and the issues with this. Dr Konopleva also provides an overview of the treatment options available to patients, referencing a recent venetoclax trial (NCT02993523).

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The widespread accessing of new drugs by HCPs and patients can be a very long process. Currently, venetoclax is in clinical trials for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and hence, has not yet been approved for prescription. In this interview, Marina Konopleva, MD, PhD of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, encourages elderly patients with AML to participate in clinical trials, such as NCT03069352, as well as acknowledging the difficulties of this. This video was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Haematology (ESH).

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“This is an exciting time for new acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapies, particularly combination treatments. In this video, Marina Konopleva, MD, PhD of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses planned upcoming clinical trials for new venetoclax chemotherapy combinations for AML, including that with FLAG-IDA (NCT03214562). Dr Konopleva explains why she is hopeful that these regimens will improve treatment and mentions the combination therapies that she hopes to work on in the future. This video was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Haematology (ESH). “

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“In this exciting interview, Marina Konopleva, MD, PhD of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, provides optimistic preliminary results from clinical trials (NCT02287233 and NCT02203773) utilizing venetoclax in elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Thus, Dr Konopleva is hopeful for the approval of venetoclax in combination therapies for AML. This video was recorded at the International Conference on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017, Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Haematology (ESH). “

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Compassion and understanding are two key components within medical care. At the International Conference of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), Lars Bullinger, MD, from Charité University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany discusses how the chance of recovery for a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is highly dependent upon their risk profile. Dr Bullinger also encourages optimism and discusses how to reassure patients who suffer from AML.

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New research methods enable a greater understanding of a disease and allow for more personalized medicine to be produced. In this interview, Lars Bullinger, MD, from Charité University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany, speaking from the International Conference of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), discusses ongoing translational research in Berlin to characterize acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in all age ranges, with a multitude of aims, including identifying biomarkers and treatment responses, in addition to improving the registries storing this data. Dr Bullinger also describes how he foresees cellular immunotherapies being utilized to…

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The effective use of the correct medication can greatly improve the chance of remission for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this insightful video, Lars Bullinger, MD, from Charité University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany, speaking from the International Conference of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH), highlights the optimal combination therapies to combat AML in elderly patients and speculates about the future of this area.

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Though women of childbearing age are diagnosed with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) less frequently than the general population, it is key that all hematologists are aware of the treatment options available to women with MPNs who are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant, and work with the patients obstetrician and midwifery group to maximize the chance of a healthy birth. In this interview, Susan Robinson, MBBS, MCRP, MDRes, FRCP, FRCPath, from Guys and St Thomas Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, discusses the statistics and risks regarding pregnancy in patients with MPNs, the treatments and precautions typically taken, and…

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Chronic inflammation is a key hallmark of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and is responsible for many of the symptoms that affect sufferers, acting as a driver for disease progression. Therefore, it is crucial to fully understand the causes and effects of chronic inflammation in this group, in order to reduce its impact upon patients and improve outcomes. Speaking from the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Advances Day 2017 in London, UK, Steffen Koschmieder, PhD, MD, of Aachen University, Aachen, Germany, discusses recent findings about the role of inflammation in MPNs, including the spreading of the malignant JAK2 mutation among cell lineages. Dr Koschmieder also…

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To effectively treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients, it is important that therapies for the right demographic are researched. In this interview, Lars Bullinger, MD, from Charité University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany, discusses the challenges facing the treatment of elderly AML. Prof. Bullinger details how the genomic structure and mutations present in elderly patients produce challenges when developing treatments and how to overcome these issues. This interview was recorded at the International Conference of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia 2017 in Estoril, Portugal by the European School of Hematology (ESH).

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Thrombosis is a major risk factor for early mortality in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), particularly essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. In this insightful interview, Martin Ellis, MD, of Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, details studies that have identified the JAK2 V617F mutation as a key driver of thrombosis, which could then be incorporated into traditional patient risk stratifications for more accurate prognoses. Dr Ellis highlights important areas for further study, such as targeting hematocrit levels, and the need to establish an effective secondary prophylaxis protocol for MPN patients who have previously experienced thrombotic events. This video was recorded…

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