Latest Hematology research

The 10 most useful hematology studies published this week, chosen from Q1 journals and graded on the Oxford CEBM evidence hierarchy. Each paper links to a short summary and the original on PubMed. Updated 22 September 2026.

Top 10 this week

Week of 20 September 2026

1
Blinatumomab for Replacing Chemotherapy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
The New England journal of medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 17 September 2026
In a randomized trial of 709 children with high-risk B-cell ALL, replacing two chemotherapy cycles with blinatumomab raised 4-year event-free survival to 83% compared with 70% for standard therapy. Infections fell dramatically (24% vs 69%), but neuro-toxic events were three times more common. Long-term safety and optimal integration into treatment regimens remain to be defined.
2
Efficacy and safety of daratumumab-based quadruplet therapy vs non-daratumumab-based triplet therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: A GRADE assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Therapeutic advances in hematology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 11 September 2026
In a meta-analysis of seven randomized trials involving 3,443 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, daratumumab-based quadruplet therapy cut the risk of progression or death by about 50% and achieved minimal residual disease negativity roughly twice as often as standard triplet regimens. Benefits appeared in both standard- and high-risk cytogenetic groups, but neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and infections were more frequent, requiring clinicians to balance stronger disease control against higher toxicity.
3
Clinical activity and safety of rilzabrutinib in patients with previously treated immune thrombocytopenia (LUNA3): results from the open-label period of a phase 3 trial
The Lancet. Haematology · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 17 September 2026
Phase 3 trial shows efficacy and safety of rilzabrutinib in
4
Multicomponent Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Patients Aged 80 Years or Older: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Chest · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 19 September 2026
In a randomized trial of 150 octogenarians on prolonged ventilation, a structured pulmonary rehab program enabled 45% of participants to be successfully weaned, compared with only 12% receiving standard care. The intervention also improved oxygenation, diaphragm movement, cough and muscle strength, and lowered pneumonia rates, suggesting a viable strategy to enhance liberation from the ventilator in the very elderly.
5
Effects of a symptom voice diary intervention program in patients with acute leukemia: a randomized controlled trial
European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 10 September 2026
In a randomized trial of 70 adults undergoing intensive chemotherapy, a multicomponent voice diary intervention lowered anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and improved quality of life and self-management compared with usual care. Most participants found it helpful, yet only about one-third would continue using it on their own, highlighting the need for larger studies to confirm benefits and sustain use.
6
B-Cell Lymphomas, Version 4.2026, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · Q1 journal · Guideline · Evidence level 1 (High) · 1 September 2026
NCCN guidelines now list the noncovalent BTK inhibitor pirtobrutinib and CAR-T products (brexucabtagene autoleucel or lisocabtagene maraleucel) as recommended options for patients whose mantle cell lymphoma progresses despite covalent BTK inhibitor therapy. These agents expand salvage choices, especially for high-risk disease such as TP53-mutated cases, but long-term outcomes and optimal sequencing remain to be defined.
7
Intracoronary Imaging-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Journal of the American College of Cardiology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 10 September 2026
Intracoronary imaging PCI meta‑analysis
8
Intravascular Imaging-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Calcified Coronary Lesions: A Network Meta-Analysis
JACC. Advances · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 17 September 2026
Intravascular imaging PCI for calcified lesions, cardiology focus
9
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Versus Unfractionated Heparin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Neurosurgery · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 14 September 2026
LMWH vs UFH for VTE prophylaxis in TBI
10
Aspirin vs. Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Orthopedic Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of clinical medicine · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 31 August 2026
High-quality evidence in a top journal

Paper of the day, last two weeks

Early prophylactic rituximab reduces EBV infection and PTLD in high-risk patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Transplantation and cellular therapy · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 21 September 2026
In a retrospective cohort of 714 high-risk allo-HCT recipients, giving rituximab prophylactically lowered the 6-month EBV infection rate to 4.7% versus 36.8% with a pre-emptive approach and reduced PTLD to about one percent. Survival and major transplant outcomes were unchanged, but B-cell recovery remained delayed, prompting need for prospective safety data.
TP53-Altered Aggressive Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL) Outcomes by Treatment Modality: A Multicenter Cohort From 14 US Centers
European journal of haematology · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 18 September 2026
In the largest multicenter cohort of TP53-altered LBCL, standard chemoimmunotherapy given with curative intent achieved durable remissions, indicating many patients can be cured without novel agents. In second- and third-line settings, outcomes were similar across therapies, although CAR-T improved progression-free survival for double-hit cases. The results suggest early use of conventional therapy remains appropriate, while the role of newer treatments in relapsed disease warrants further study.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia With KMT2A Amplification: A TP53-Alteration-Enriched Subgroup Associated With Chromoanagenesis and Poor Prognosis
Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 17 September 2026
In a review of 96 AML patients with KMT2A amplification-most of whom had TP53 alterations and complex karyotypes-intensive chemotherapy did not improve outcomes, while venetoclax-based therapy raised median overall survival from 4.6 to 7.1 months and markedly lengthened event-free survival. The subgroup remains extremely high-risk, underscoring the need for better targeted treatments.
Timing matters: Impact of covalent BTK inhibitor dose modifications on outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic leukemia-A 7-year real-world study
Cancer · Q1 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 15 September 2026
In a 7-year real-world cohort of 324 CLL/SLL patients, those who kept full-dose therapy had 98% overall survival at four years, whereas patients with early (first three months) interruptions longer than 14 days fell to 41% survival. Short interruptions or dose reductions did not affect outcomes, and switching drugs to shorten gaps improved survival.
Targeting CD38 with bispecific antibody XmAb 18968 in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Leukemia · Q1 journal · Phase 1 trial · Evidence level 4 (Very Low) · 14 September 2026
CD38 bispecific antibody in relapsed AML and T‑ALL, phase‑1 trial
Reduced-dose versus standard-dose total body irradiation before allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
British journal of haematology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 15 September 2026
In a retrospective series of 101 adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia undergoing first allogeneic stem-cell transplant, a conventional 12 Gy total-body irradiation regimen was linked to about six times higher non-relapse mortality compared with an 8 Gy dose, while relapse incidence was unchanged. Adjusted analyses suggest lower-dose TBI may be safer, but prospective studies are required.
Outcomes of CHOP versus CHOEP/EPOCH in aggressive adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: an international cohort analysis
Haematologica · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 10 September 2026
In a retrospective cohort of 328 adults with aggressive ATL, CHOEP/EPOCH improved three-year overall survival for lymphomatous disease (34% vs 12% with CHOP) while response rates were similar. No survival benefit was seen in acute ATL. The results suggest a subtype-specific advantage, but prospective trials are needed to confirm.
Recombinant ADAMTS13 in congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: final analysis from a randomized phase 3 trial
Blood · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 11 September 2026
In a crossover trial of 48 patients with congenital TTP, prophylaxis with recombinant ADAMTS13 resulted in zero acute episodes, compared with a single event during plasma-based therapy. Subacute events and thrombocytopenia were also lower, adverse events were far fewer, and patients reported higher treatment satisfaction, supporting its ongoing use.
Efficacy and safety of mitapivat in adults with transfusion-dependent α-thalassaemia or β-thalassaemia (ENERGIZE-T): a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial
Lancet (London, England) · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 12 September 2026
In a phase 3 trial of adults with transfusion-dependent α- or β-thalassaemia, 30% of patients receiving mitapivat achieved a at least 50% reduction in transfused red-cell units versus 13% on placebo, an absolute benefit of 18 percentage points. The drug was generally well tolerated, with similar serious-adverse-event rates, offering the first oral disease-modifying option for this population.
Efficacy and Safety of CAR-T Cell Therapy in Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Central Nervous System Involvement
Cancer medicine · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 1 September 2026
In a retrospective series of 113 relapsed/refractory B-cell ALL patients, 22 with CNS leukemia attained an overall complete remission rate of 81.8% at day 28, identical to the 91 CNS-negative patients, and experienced similar rates of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. However, CNS-positive patients relapsed more often, especially in the CNS, and only those who received subsequent allogeneic stem-cell transplant showed improved long-term survival.
Efficacy and Safety of CAR-T Cell Therapy in Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Central Nervous System Involvement
Cancer medicine · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 1 September 2026
In a retrospective series of 113 relapsed/refractory B-cell ALL patients, 22 with CNS leukemia attained an overall complete remission rate of 81.8% at day 28, identical to the 91 CNS-negative patients, and experienced similar rates of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. However, CNS-positive patients relapsed more often, especially in the CNS, and only those who received subsequent allogeneic stem-cell transplant showed improved long-term survival.
Dynamic risk stratification using early CAR-T expansion in R/R LBCL treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel
British journal of haematology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 7 September 2026
In 176 patients receiving axicabtagene ciloleucel, those with a day-7 CAR-T count of at least 48 cells per microliter experienced about a 50% lower chance of disease progression, even after adjusting for LDH and bridging response. Higher early expansion also predicted more severe cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, but needed steroids did not worsen outcomes, suggesting early cell counts can guide monitoring intensity.

Evidence summaries in Hematology

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For healthcare professionals. Summaries are generated by AI from the published abstract and are not medical advice. Read the original paper before changing practice.