Sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) is a progressive, sight-threatening ophthalmic complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Current SCR screening focuses on the detection of pathologic sea fan neovascularization, the first sign of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy (PSR). If untreated, PSR can lead to severe visual impairment and blindness through progression to vitreous hemorrhage and/or retinal detachment. SCR screening with dilated fundus examination (DFE) is recommended every 1–2 years starting at age 10, but data underlying this recommendation are of poor quality and based upon expert consensus. We performed a systematic review to characterize imaging techniques, laboratory-based tests, and clinical practices for SCR screening. This PROSPERO-registered systematic review included relevant texts identified through predetermined searches in online databases. Collected test accuracy data facilitated the calculation of likelihood ratios. Forty-four studies evaluating 4928 patients were included. DFE demonstrated moderate test accuracy (LR+ of 8.0, LR- of 0.3). Ultra-widefield-fundus photography demonstrated superior accuracy (LR+ 32.5, LR- 0.03). Optical coherence tomography angiography applications were highly accurate for PSR identification (machine learning LR+ 32.5, LR- 0.03; human grader LR+ 2.8–213.1, LR- 0.1-0.2). Most techniques and tests were more accurate at detecting PSR than staging SCR or detecting lower-grade SCR. Our findings support the integration of advanced image-based approaches, such as computer-based image analysis and ultra-wide-field fundus imaging, for SCR screening in SCD patients given the superior accuracy in PSR detection compared with the current standard of care. Rigorous SCR screening implementation studies are needed to support evidence-based SCR screening recommendations.
Alpha-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by impaired α-globin chain production, leading to anemia and other complications. Hemoglobin H (HbH) disease is caused by a combination of mutations generally affecting the expression of three of four α-globin alleles; disease severity is highly heterogeneous, largely driven by genotype. Notably, non-deletional mutations cause a greater degree of ineffective erythropoiesis and hemolysis, higher transfusion burden, and increased complication risks versus deletional mutations. There are limited treatment options for HbH disease, and effective therapies are needed. This review discusses the pathophysiology of HbH disease, current management strategies, unmet needs, and emerging treatment options.
The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expanded U.S. Veterans' health care and benefits for conditions linked to service-connected exposures (e.g., Burn Pits, Agent Orange). However, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are not recognized as presumptive conditions for Veterans exposed to these toxic substances. This study evaluated the development of MPN among U.S. Veterans from the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf War eras. This retrospective cohort study included 65 425 Korean War era Veterans; 211 927 Vietnam War era Veterans; and 214 007 Persian Gulf War era Veterans from January 1, 2006, to January 26, 2023. Veterans with MPN, thrombosis, bleeding, and cardiovascular risk factors were identified through ICD-9 and -10 codes. Veterans from the Persian Gulf War era had the highest risk of developing MPN compared with Veterans from the Korean and Vietnam War eras, hazard ratio (HR) 4.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.20–5.75 and HR 2.49, 95% CI 2.20–2.82, both p < .0001, respectively. Vietnam War era Veterans also had a higher risk of MPN development compared with Korean War era Veterans, HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.77–2.21, p < .0001. Persian Gulf War era Veterans were diagnosed with MPN at an earlier age, had higher risks of thrombosis and bleeding, and had lower survival rates compared with Korean War and Vietnam War era Veterans. This study reinforces evidence that environmental and occupational hazards increase the risk of clonal myeloid disorders and related complications, impacting overall survival with MPN. Limitations include the inability to confirm clonality and fully verify deployment and exposure status.
Cytogenomic characterization is crucial for the classification and risk stratification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), thereby facilitating therapeutic decision-making. We examined the clinical utility of optical genome mapping (OGM) in 159 AML patients (103 newly diagnosed and 56 refractory/relapsed), all of whom also underwent chromosomal banding analysis (CBA), fluorescence in situ hybridization, and targeted next-generation sequencing. OGM detected nearly all clinically relevant cytogenetic abnormalities that SCG identified with >99% sensitivity, provided the clonal burden was above 20%. OGM identified additional cytogenomic aberrations and/or provided information on fusion genes in 77 (48%) patients, including eight patients with normal karyotypes and four with failed karyotyping. The most common additional alterations identified by OGM included chromoanagenesis (n = 23), KMT2A partial tandem duplication (n = 11), rearrangements involving MECOM (n = 7), NUP98 (n = 2), KMT2A (n = 2), JAK2 (n = 2), and other gene fusions in 17 patients, with 10 showing novel fusion gene partners. OGM also pinpointed fusion genes in 17 (11%) patients where chromosomal rearrangements were concurrently detected by OGM and CBA. Overall, 24 (15%) aberrations were identified exclusively by OGM and had the potential to alter AML classification, risk stratification, and/or clinical trial eligibility. OGM emerges as a powerful tool for identifying fusion genes and detecting subtle or cryptic cytogenomic aberrations that may otherwise remain undetectable by CBA.
The advent of molecularly targeted therapeutics has transformed the management of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Particularly for individuals unfit for intensive chemotherapy, lower intensity therapies (LIT) incorporating small molecules have significantly improved patient outcomes. With BCL2, IDH1, IDH2, and FLT3 inhibitors widely used for relapsed AML, combination regimens are now utilized in the frontline. Expansion of these targeted LIT combinations, along with development of novel agents including menin inhibitors, exemplifies the promise of precision medicine. Further understanding of molecular drivers of leukemic transformation and mechanisms of relapse will continue to advance frontline treatment options for patients with AML.
Zanwar S, Ho M, Lin Y, Kapoor P, Binder M, Buadi FK, Dispenzieri A, Dingli D, Fonder A, Gertz MA, Gonsalves W, Hayman SR, Hwa Y, Hobbs M, Kourelis T, Lacy MQ, Leung N, Muchtar E, Warsame R, Jevremovic D, Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV, Kumar S. Am J Hematol. 2023 Oct;98(10):1540–1549. doi: 10.1002/ajh.27023. Epub 2023 Jul 8. PMID: 37421603.
In this article, we forgot to acknowledge that the work was supported by the Paul Calabresi K12 Career Development Award (CA90628-21).
We apologize for this error.
Ho M, Zanwar S, Buadi FK, Ailawadhi S, Larsen J, Bergsagel L, Binder M, Chanan-Khan A, Dingli D, Dispenzieri A, Fonseca R, Gertz MA, Gonsalves W, Go RS, Hayman S, Kapoor P, Kourelis T, Lacy MQ, Leung N, Lin Y, Muchtar E, Roy V, Sher T, Warsame R, Fonder A, Hobbs M, Hwa YL, Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV, Kumar S. Am J Hematol. 2023 Jan;98(1):49–55. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26762. Epub 2022 Oct 24. PMID: 36226510.
In this article, we forgot to acknowledge that the work was supported by the Paul Calabresi K12 Career Development Award (CA90628-21).
We apologize for this error.