Savani, Bipin N.

The International Academy for Clinical Hematology (IACH) is a global, non-profit educational organization dedicated to advancing excellence, equity, and innovation in clinical hematology. Since its creation, the IACH has built an international community spanning more than 130 countries, leveraging digital-first education, scientific collaboration, and professional networking to improve patient care worldwide. This document presents the IACH Strategic Vision for 2026–2030, outlining a structured roadmap for the Academy’s next phase of growth and international leadership. The strategy is built upon six interdependent pillars: scientific excellence and credibility; digital leadership and intelligent learning; academic alliances and global footprint; innovation, visibility, and advocacy; transparency and sustainability; and brand positioning with global impact. By reinforcing scientific rigor, embracing digital transformation, and promoting innovation, the IACH aims to become the most trusted global reference for clinical hematology education and collaboration. This strategic vision positions the IACH as a unifying platform to unite the world hematology community under one banner of knowledge, collaboration, and compassion, for the benefit of every patient, everywhere.

Abstract We evaluate the impact of donor types on outcomes of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in myelofibrosis, using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry data for HCTs done between 2013 and 2019. In all 1597 patients, the use of haploidentical donors increased from 3% in 2013 to 19% in 2019. In study-eligible 1032 patients who received peripheral blood grafts for chronic-phase myelofibrosis, 38% of recipients of haploidentical HCT were non-White/Caucasian. Matched sibling donor (MSD)–HCTs were associated with superior overall survival (OS) in the first 3 months (haploidentical hazard ratio [HR], 5.80 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.52-13.35]; matched unrelated (MUD) HR, 4.50 [95% CI, 2.24-9.03]; mismatched unrelated HR, 5.13 [95% CI, 1.44-18.31]; P < .001). This difference in OS aligns with lower graft failure with MSD (haploidentical HR, 6.11 [95% CI, 2.98-12.54]; matched unrelated HR, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.20-4.51]; mismatched unrelated HR, 1.82 [95% CI, 0.58-5.72]). There was no significant difference in OS among haploidentical, MUD, and mismatched unrelated donor HCTs in the first 3 months. Donor type was not associated with differences in OS beyond 3 months after HCT, relapse, disease-free survival, or OS among patients who underwent HCT within 24 months of diagnosis. Patients who experienced graft failure had more advanced disease and commonly used nonmyeloablative conditioning. Although MSD-HCTs were superior, there is no significant difference in HCT outcomes from haploidentical and MUDs. These results establish haploidentical HCT with posttransplantation cyclophosphamide as a viable option in myelofibrosis, especially for ethnic minorities underrepresented in the donor registries.

7053 Background: In ECHELON-1 (NCT01712490), 6-year follow-up (FU) analyses demonstrated significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with A+AVD (brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) versus ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine), with a comparable safety profile. Here, we report data at 7-year median FU. Methods: Analyses of OS and PFS per investigator were conducted in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population (data cut-off March 11, 2023). Patients (pts) were randomized 1:1 to receive ≤6 cycles of A+AVD (n=664) or ABVD (n=670) on days 1 and 15, every 28 days. PET scan after cycle 2 (PET2) evaluation was mandatory. Long-term safety outcomes in the safety population included resolution or improvement of peripheral neuropathy (PN), second malignancies, and pregnancies. Results: At median FU of 89.3 months (95% CI 87.0–90.2), 7-year OS rates were 93.5% (95% CI 91.1–95.2) with A+AVD and 88.8% (95% CI 85.8–91.1) with ABVD; OS favored A+AVD over ABVD (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.42–0.90; p=0.011). Subgroup analyses showed consistent OS benefit for A+AVD, including in the age <40 years and Stage IV disease subgroups (Table). 7-year PFS rates with A+AVD vs ABVD were 82.3% (95% CI 79.1–85.0) vs 74.5% (95% CI 70.8–77.7; HR 0.68 [95% CI 0.53–0.86]; p=0.001). PN improved/resolved in most pts at last FU (A+AVD: 86%; ABVD: 87%). Median (range) time to complete resolution of PN (A+AVD vs ABVD) was 16 (0–373) vs 10 (0–343) weeks; median (range) time to improvement was 42 (2–182) vs 19 (15–142) weeks. PN was ongoing in 28% (4% grade ≥3) of A+AVD and 20% (1% grade ≥3) of ABVD pts. Second malignancies were reported in 5% of A+AVD and 6% of ABVD pts. Pts and their partners reported 84/92 livebirths/pregnancies with A+AVD and 59/73 with ABVD; no stillbirths were recorded. Conclusions: At 7-year median FU, pts with stage III/IV cHL who received A+AVD showed a sustained PFS and OS benefit vs ABVD, with PFS rates indicating potential curability. The safety profile in pts treated with A+AVD showed no new safety signals at 7 years. Clinical trial information: NCT01712490 . [Table: see text]

Abstract There has been an increase in volume as well as an improvement in overall survival (OS) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for hematologic disorders. It is unknown if these changes have affected racial/ethnic minorities equally. In this observational study from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research of 79 904 autologous (auto) and 65 662 allogeneic (allo) HCTs, we examined the volume and rates of change of autoHCT and alloHCT over time and trends in OS in 4 racial/ethnic groups: non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), non-Hispanic African Americans (NHAAs), and Hispanics across 5 2-year cohorts from 2009 to 2018. Rates of change were compared using Poisson model. Adjusted and unadjusted Cox proportional hazards models examined trends in mortality in the 4 racial/ethnic groups over 5 study time periods. The rates of increase in volume were significantly higher for Hispanics and NHAAs vs NHW for both autoHCT and alloHCT. Adjusted overall mortality after autoHCT was comparable across all racial/ethnic groups. NHAA adults (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.22; P = .004) and pediatric patients (HR 1.62; 95% CI 1.3-2.03; P &lt; .001) had a higher risk of mortality after alloHCT than NHWs. Improvement in OS over time was seen in all 4 groups after both autoHCT and alloHCT. Our study shows the rate of change for the use of autoHCT and alloHCT is higher in NHAAs and Hispanics than in NHWs. Survival after autoHCT and alloHCT improved over time; however, NHAAs have worse OS after alloHCT, which has persisted. Continued efforts are needed to mitigate disparities for patients requiring alloHCT.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a cornerstone of modern medical practice, and can only be performed safely and effectively with appropriate transfusion medicine support. Patients undergoing HSCT often develop therapy-related cytopenia, necessitating differing blood product requirements in the pre-, peri-, and post-transplant periods. Moreover, ensuring optimal management for patients alloimmunized to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and/or red blood cell (RBC) antigens, as well as for patients receiving ABO-incompatible transplants, requires close collaboration with transfusion medicine and blood bank professionals. Finally, as updated transfusion guidelines and novel blood product modifications emerge, the options available to the transplant practitioner continue to expand. Herein, we detail contemporary blood transfusion and transfusion medicine practices for patients undergoing HSCT.

AbstractTo develop a prognostic model for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for myelofibrosis (MF), we examined the data of 623 patients undergoing allo-HCT between 2000 and 2016 in the United States (the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research [CIBMTR] cohort). A Cox multivariable model was used to identify factors prognostic of mortality. A weighted score using these factors was assigned to patients who received transplantation in Europe (the European Bone Marrow Transplant [EBMT] cohort; n = 623). Patient age &gt;50 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.96), and HLA-matched unrelated donor (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.98-1.7) were associated with an increased hazard of death and were assigned 1 point. Hemoglobin levels &lt;100 g/L at time of transplantation (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.2-2.19) and a mismatched unrelated donor (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.25-2.52) were assigned 2 points. The 3-year overall survival (OS) in patients with a low (1-2 points), intermediate (3-4 points), and high score (5 points) were 69% (95% CI, 61-76), 51% (95% CI, 46-56.4), and 34% (95% CI, 21-49), respectively (P &lt; .001). Increasing score was predictive of increased transplant-related mortality (TRM; P = .0017) but not of relapse (P = .12). The derived score was predictive of OS (P &lt; .001) and TRM (P = .002) but not of relapse (P = .17) in the EBMT cohort as well. The proposed system was prognostic of survival in 2 large cohorts, CIBMTR and EBMT, and can easily be applied by clinicians consulting patients with MF about the transplantation outcomes.