Abstract
Welcome to the current issue of Therapeutic Advances in Hematology! We are approaching the 1-year mark after our launch and are very pleased with the path the journal has moved on. Publication of high-quality original research in all areas of hematology continues to be our highest calling. In addition, thoughtful reviews are requested and welcomed, and the editorial board and I are willing to ‘think outside the box’ and consider other formats as we move forward and grow in readership and impact. Thank you for all your submissions and once again hats off to the staff and editorial board for a continued ‘job well done’.
In this issue we start with an intriguing original research piece by Dr Gehrke and colleagues from the University at Cologne, Germany, regarding the impact of positional isomerism on the antineoplastic effects of nitric oxide-donating acetylsalicylic acid (NO-ASA) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). They demonstrate the differential effect of the para-isomer in CLL cells and a xenograft model and track the apoptotic pathway changes citing caspase activation and inhibition of β-catenin/Lef-1 signaling. Next we have a delightful review of the ‘story’ of thalidomide from Dr Rehman and colleagues at Case Medical Center in Cleveland. The authors detail the early development and ‘dark side’ of thalidomide, its unrecognized toxicity and birth defect potential, followed by inquiry and understanding into its potential anti-angiogenic and anticancer properties and its development and re-acceptance into the fold of medical therapy.
Dr Avni from Hadassah Medical Center, Israel contributed to this issue a comprehensive look at the enigma of myeloid sarcoma. The review covers the classification and pathology of what is termed ‘extramedullary disease’ and true myeloid sarcoma and more importantly reveals the gaps in prognostic relevance, specific treatment approaches and outcomes for patients with this rare finding. Dr Chung and colleagues from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center then outline a future direction for understanding the link between leukemic and normal hematopoietic stem cell development and regulation: microRNAs and their role in self-renewal pathways in addition to lineage commitment and mature cell function. Last in this issue Dr Park and colleagues also from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center provide a thorough review of advances in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia; they cover initial treatment and risk stratification, the unique contribution of anthracycline over cytarabine, consolidation and maintenance of this highly curable leukemia, and the incorporation of the APL-specific agent ATRA and arsenic trioxide.
Congratulations to the authors on their research and review submissions, and enjoy!