Since the original publication of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Clinical Research and Practice, Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSC) has undergone several fast-paced changes. In this second edition, the editors have focused on topics relevant to evolving knowledge in the field in order to better guide clinicians in decision-making and management of their patients, as well as help lead laboratory investigators in new directions emanating from clinical observations. Some of the most respected clinicians and scientists in this discipline have responded to the recent advances in the field by providing state-of-the-art discussions addressing these topics in the second edition. The text covers the scope of human genomic variation, the methods of HLA typing and interpretation of high-resolution HLA results. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Clinical Research and Practice, Second Edition offers concise advice on today's best clinical practice and will be of significant benefit to all clinicians and researchers in allogeneic HSC transplantation.

This last year has seen the approval of the first targeted treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) - following decades with no new developments and a poor prognosis for most patients with the disease. The new drugs reflect the remarkable progress that has been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology of AML and its underlying cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities - which differ not only between patients but also within a patient over time and with treatment. 'Fast Facts: Acute Myeloid Leukemia' provides a comprehensive yet concise foundation for understanding AML: from basic epidemiology, diagnosis, classification and the current 'standard' treatment, through to recent advances in our understanding of the cytogenetic and molecular underpinnings of the disease, such as the IDH2 mutation, and the future for tailored therapy. It will be useful to primary care providers, medical students, specialist nurses, junior doctors and allied healthcare professionals who want to develop a thorough grounding in our evolving understanding of AML and its treatment. Contents: • Epidemiology, pathophysiology and etiology • Diagnosis • Treatment • Supportive care • Prognosis and monitoring • Emerging treatments • Useful resources

This volume provides the reader with an overview of the diverse functions of the RUNX family of genes. As highlighted in the introduction and several of the 29 chapters, humans and other mammals have three RUNX genes that are known to play specific roles in blood, bone and neuronal development. However, their evolutionary history has recently been traced back to unicellular organisms and their involvement in many well-known signaling pathways (Wnt, TGFb, Notch, Hippo) is indicative of a more general function in cell biology. Their documented roles in cell fate decisions include control of proliferation, differentiation, survival, senescence and autophagy. The pleiotropic effects of RUNX in development are mirrored in cancer, where RUNX genes can function as oncogenes that collaborate strongly with Myc family oncogenes or as tumour suppressor genes. In the latter role, they display hallmarks of both ‘gatekeepers’ that modulate p53 responses and ‘caretakers’ that protect the genome from DNA damage. Several chapters focus on the importance of these genes in leukemia research, where RUNX1 and CBFB are frequently affected by chromosomal translocations that generate fusion oncoproteins, while recent studies suggest wider roles for RUNX modulation in solid cancers. Moreover, RUNX genes are intimately involved in the development and regulation of the immune system, while emerging evidence suggests a role in innate immunity to infectious agents, including HIV. At the biochemical level, the RUNX family can serve as activators or repressors of transcription and as stable mediators of epigenetic memory through mitosis. Not surprisingly, RUNX activity is controlled at multiple levels, this includes miRNAs and a plethora of post-translational modifications. Several chapters highlight the interplay between the three mammalian RUNX genes, where cross-talk and partial functional redundancies are evident. Finally, structural analysis of the RUNX/CBFB interaction has led to the development of small molecule inhibitors that provide exciting new tools to decipher the roles of RUNX in development and as targets for therapy. This volume provides a compendium and reference source that will be of broad interest to cancer researchers, developmental biologists and immunologists.

The last ten years have seen the publication of a vast amount of data regarding cellular resistance to drugs in cancer cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that drug resistance assays appear to be predictive of clinical response and suggest that clinicians should now be considering the potential applications of these assays in the treatment of patients with hematological neoplasms. This collection of papers from the International Symposium on the Clinical Value of Drug Resistance Assays in Leukemia and Lymphoma, Amsterdam, 1992, provides a state-of-the-art discussion on drug resistance assays and their role in the design and individualization of treatment protocols.

This book is devoted to innovative medicine, comprising the proceedings of the Uehara Memorial Foundation Symposium 2014. It remains extremely rare for the findings of basic research to be developed into clinical applications, and it takes a long time for the process to be achieved. The task of advancing the development of basic research into clinical reality lies with translational science, yet the field seems to struggle to find a way to move forward. To create innovative medical technology, many steps need to be taken: development and analysis of optimal animal models of human diseases, elucidation of genomic and epidemiological data, and establishment of “proof of concept”. There is also considerable demand for progress in drug research, new surgical procedures, and new clinical devices and equipment. While the original research target may be rare diseases, it is also important to apply those findings more broadly to common diseases. The book covers a wide range of topics and is organized into three complementary parts. The first part is basic research for innovative medicine, the second is translational research for innovative medicine, and the third is new technology for innovative medicine. This book helps to understand innovative medicine and to make progress in its realization.

This first open access European CAR-T Handbook, co-promoted by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the European Hematology Association (EHA), covers several aspects of CAR-T cell treatments, including the underlying biology, indications, management of side-effects, access and manufacturing issues. This book, written by leading experts in the field to enhance readers’ knowledge and practice skills, provides an unparalleled overview of the CAR-T cell technology and its application in clinical care, to enhance readers’ knowledge and practice skills.

This book focuses on the latest progress in chemotherapy for leukemia and related diseases, including still-ongoing but promising studies. The effectiveness of treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia and acute promyelocytic leukemia has been dramatically improved in recent years. This improvement has been made possible with the development of molecular targeted agents such as bcr-abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors and all-trans retinoic acid. The antibody for the unique target of chemokine receptor 4 for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, or FLT3 inhibitors (signaling inhibitors) has been applied to other leukemias. Also, chemotherapeutic agents including antimetabolite analogues such as clofarabine, and azacitidine (an epigenetic regulator) have undergone progressive development. Meanwhile, the novel concept of therapy targeting leukemic stem cells has been developed. The contributors discuss prospective results of basic and preclinical studies and clinical possibilities based on the effects for leukemic stem cells. This work facilitates a comprehensive understanding of modern treatment methodology for leukemia. The volume therefore will greatly benefit not only hematologists but also oncologists, all physicians who specialize in blood cancer, and pharmacologists who are involved in the development of therapeutic agents for leukemia.

Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) is increasingly used in the management of leukemia patients. A wide variety of methods have been developed and include technologies designed to detect residual malignant cells beyond the sensitivity of conventional approaches such as morphology and banding cytogenetics in leukemia. The choice of the best method depends on the biology of the individual malignancy, i.e. on the determination of specific markers which are useful to differentiate between leukemic cells and normal hematopoiesis in leukemic patients. These markers include leukocyte differentiation antigens, fusion transcripts, transcripts overexpressed by mutated or nonmutated genes, rearranged genes, and individual markers like polymorphic repetitive DNA sequences. The major technologies for MRD detection, their advantages and disadvantages and their clinical applications are discussed in this special issue - from 'bench to bedside'. Providing a comprehensive overview on the significance of MRD in the evaluation, treatment and follow-up of hematologic malignancies, it will be of great value to hematologists, researchers interested in leukemias and lymphomas as well as laboratory technicians.