62nd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2020)

Ruxolitinib improves outcomes in chronic graft-vs-host disease

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210209180001

The oral Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib may improve outcomes in patients with steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) compared with current best available therapy (BAT), according to results of the phase III REACH3 study presented at ASH 2020.

No more bleeding into joints with single-dose gene therapy for haemophilia B

Elvira Manzano, 20210129143800

The gene therapy etranacogene dezaparvovec reduces bleeds in patients with moderate or severe haemophilia B after only one infusion, preliminary data from the HOPE-B study have shown.

UNITY-CLL: Umbralisib + ublituximab prolongs PFS in CLL

Elaine Soliven, 20210128000000

A combination therapy of umbralisib + ublituximab (U2) significantly improves progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) compared with obinutuzumab + chlorambucil (O+Chl), according to the UNITY-CLL* study presented at ASH 2020.

High morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients with haematologic malignancies

Natalia Reoutova, 20210126000000

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who have haematologic malignancies have a 28 percent mortality rate, according to data collected from 250 patients by the ASH Research Collaborative COVID-19 presented at the 62^nd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2020).

Mycophenolate plus steroids: A new therapy for immune thrombocytopenia?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210122180001

In patients newly diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), the first-line combination treatment of mycophenolate and corticosteroids was effective and well tolerated compared with corticosteroids alone, results of the UK-based Flight* trial showed.

Anticoagulant for COVID-19: Higher dose=better survival?

Pearl Toh, 20210122150000

While it is well known that COVID-19 illness is associated with coagulopathy, the optimal anticoagulation strategy remains elusive, and two studies presented at the ASH 2020 Congress further add to the growing debate on the appropriate anticoagulant dose for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Roxadustat strides ahead as anaemia treatment in CKD

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210118180001

Roxadustat appears a promising treatment for anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), regardless of whether they are undergoing dialysis, according to two analyses presented at ASH 2020.

D-dimer-driven anticoagulation strategy of help for hospitalized COVID-19 patients

D-dimer a potential biomarker to guide anticoagulant use in COVID-19 inpatients

Pearl Toh, 20210116140000

An anticoagulation strategy based on blood D-dimer level as a biomarker for clotting risk may help improve survival of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to a study presented during the ASH 2020 Meeting.

Dabigatran a potential oral option for VTE in kids

Pearl Toh, 20210115140010

Dabigatran was similarly effective as standard of care (SOC) in resolving thrombus and preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), without raising the risk of bleeding in children, according to the DIVERSITY trial presented at ASH 2020 — thus providing a potential oral alternative to standard of care for the paediatric population.

Telemedicine shows potential for managing patients requiring IV iron

Audrey Abella, 20210115100000

A pilot telemedicine initiative may be an alternative for facilitating delivery of intravenous iron (IVI) for individuals requiring iron supplementation.