Issue Archive

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), caused by inactivating mutations in the NAD phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complex, is characterized by poor antimicrobial control and hyperinflammation. In a study reported in this Plenary Paper, Song et al elucidate the pathophysiology of aberrant inflammation in CGD, demonstrating that loss of oxidase activity leads to excessive neutrophil activation through upregulation of the inflammatory protein leukotriene B4.

Using 4 illustrative cases, Wang and Carrier evaluate the data supporting the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants for the treatment and prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in morbidly obese patients, and they present their approach to oral anticoagulant therapy in this setting.

Crovalimab is a modified anti-C5 antibody that binds C5, targeting it for endothelial-cell uptake and lysosomal degradation. There is subsequent recycling of crovalimab back into plasma, prolonging its effect. The authors report preliminary results demonstrating that monthly subcutaneous crovalimab therapy is as effective as other intravenous anti-C5 antibodies (such as eculizumab and ravulizumab) in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Barz et al dissected the spectrum of NT5C2 mutations in relapsed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, demonstrating that mutations can be clonal or subclonal. Although any NT5C2 mutation was associated with reduced survival, subclonal mutations were, surprisingly, associated with higher rates of failure of relapse treatment than clonal mutations.

Wong et al defined the transcriptional regulatory network driving adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, demonstrating a network driven by superenhancer binding of IRF4 and NF-κB to drive the expression of genes regulating T-cell development and proliferation.

Ten to twenty percent of patients with essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis lack canonical JAK2, CALR, or MPL mutations. Levy et al report on patients with noncanonical transmembrane receptor mutations in MPL that promote ligand-independent thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor dimerization and activation in a manner that mimics the activity of the TPO mimetic eltrombopag.

In this month’s CME article, Lum et al detail a marked improvement in outcomes in patients with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II deficiency undergoing hematopoetic cell transplantation since 2008 compared to those who underwent transplantation before 2008, citing multiple factors, including improved graft selection and manipulation, improved supportive care, and better infection control.