Recent Advances in Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Laboratory Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2985

Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
2. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
Interests: hematology; oncology; evidence-based medicine
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to showcasing recent breakthroughs in hematology and oncology, providing a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge research that contributes to our understanding of oncological and hematological malignancies.

We welcome submissions that explore emerging therapies, diagnostic techniques, and molecular insights, offering valuable perspectives for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare practitioners alike. Key themes include precision medicine, immunotherapy, genomics, and targeted therapies. Through this Special Issue, we will provide an indispensable resource, bridging knowledge gaps and fostering further advancements in the dynamic fields of hematology and oncology.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this Special Issue, and we believe that your insights will significantly contribute to advancing our collective knowledge in these crucial fields. 

Dr. Chohao Lee
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • hematological malignancies
  • lymphoma
  • leukemia
  • multiple myeloma
  • precision medicine
  • immunotherapy
  • genomics
  • targeted therapies

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3240 KB  
Article
Long-Term Cognitive Impairment After CAR-T Therapy Versus Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
by Anna Blyzniuk, Po-Huang Chen, Wei-Cheng Chang, Hsin-Yu Chen, Li-Ting Kao, Tina Yi-Jin Hsieh, Ming-Shen Dai, Hong-Jie Jhou and Cho-Hao Lee
Diagnostics 2026, 16(12), 1862; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121862 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 406
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has transformed outcomes in relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies, but long-term cognitive outcomes remain poorly understood. We compared the incidence and time course of cognitive impairment and associated neurological complications after CAR-T therapy compared with [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has transformed outcomes in relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies, but long-term cognitive outcomes remain poorly understood. We compared the incidence and time course of cognitive impairment and associated neurological complications after CAR-T therapy compared with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Methods: This retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study utilized the TriNetX US Collaborative Network (January 2014–April 2025). To ensure concurrent comparisons, ASCT recipients were restricted to an index date beginning in August 2017 or later. CAR-T recipients were matched 1:1 to ASCT recipients for demographics, disease, comorbidities, prior and concomitant treatments, and laboratory parameters. The primary endpoint was time to cognitive impairment, as defined by ICD-10 codes. Results: After comparing 3067 CAR-T patients (median follow-up 634 days) with 3067 ASCT patients (median follow-up 713 days), CAR-T recipients had a higher risk of cognitive impairment (HR 1.58; 95% CI 1.39–1.80; p < 0.001). Because the risks were not proportional (Schaenfeld p < 0.001), the difference was also expressed as restricted median survival time (RMST): CAR-T recipients spent approximately 25 and 53 days fewer days without cognitive impairment at 1 and 2 years, respectively (both p < 0.001). The risk was greatest at 30 days (HR 4.22; 95% CI 3.23–5.53), but remained elevated in control analyses at 30 and 90 days that excluded the acute ICANS window (HR 1.30 and 1.25, respectively; both p < 0.05). Neurological dysfunction, particularly encephalopathy (HR 2.04; 95% CI 1.73–2.40), was more common after CAR-T. Conversely, CAR-T was associated with a reduced risk of secondary acute myeloid leukemia (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.38–0.55; p < 0.001). Conclusions: CAR-T therapy is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment that persists beyond the acute phase. As these are observational, code-based data, they should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of a specific mechanism, and they highlight the need for informed consent discussions, long-term neurocognitive monitoring, and the development of neuroprotective strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 812 KB  
Article
Clinical Utility of Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Surveillance in Neutropenic Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Outpatient Chemotherapy: A Case Series
by Maria Lampou, Elizabeth C. Trull, Hailey M. Warren, Musie S. Ghebremichael, Raja Nakka, Daniel J. Floyd, Amir T. Fathi, Andrew M. Brunner and Michael K. Mansour
Diagnostics 2025, 15(13), 1715; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15131715 - 5 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2096
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The main objective of the study is to assess the clinical utility of microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) in neutropenic patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing chemotherapy in the outpatient setting. Neutropenia is a common complication in this patient cohort [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The main objective of the study is to assess the clinical utility of microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) in neutropenic patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing chemotherapy in the outpatient setting. Neutropenia is a common complication in this patient cohort and enhances the risk of fatal opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. Accurate and timely diagnosis of these infections in outpatient asymptomatic individuals is critical. Methods: Fourteen patients were studied in this prospective observational case series. Traditional blood cultures (BCs) were obtained when clinically indicated and blood samples were collected for plasma mcfDNA metagenomic sequencing up to two times a week at outpatient oncology appointments. Results were compared in identifying potential infectious agents. Results: BCs identified pathogens in only two patients, despite several cases where infection was suspected. In contrast, mcfDNA testing detected pathogens in 11 of the 14 patients, including bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, and invasive fungi, such as Candida and Aspergillus species, and Pneumocystis jirovecii. Conclusions: In the outpatient setting, mcfDNA surveillance offers a more reliable method for detecting pathogens. This approach identified actionable microbiologic results in immunocompromised individuals who did not meet standard clinical criteria for suspicion of infection. Further research is required to confirm the potential of mcfDNA surveillance in an outpatient setting to guide more accurate treatment decisions, reduce extensive clinical investigations, and improve neutropenic patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Edition)
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