Approaching Aplastic Anemia | Letermovir & CMV Infection | FDA Menthol BanJuly 13, 2021 | Oncology Hematology Approach to the Diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia Without definitive treatment, mortality from severe aplastic anemia (AA) approaches 70% at 2 years. Establishing an accurate etiology of the AA is challenging but also absolutely critical to appropriate management, especially differentiating between acquired and inherited forms of the disease. This review emphasizes the newer data on molecular (somatic and germline) findings in AA and how they are (or are not) helpful during diagnosis. Read full article Hematology Cytomegalovirus-Specific T-Cell Reconstitution Following Letermovir Prophylaxis After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Letermovir is a recently approved antiviral shown to decrease clinically significant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Appearing in Blood, the authors make two key points: 1) Letermovir prophylaxis may be associated with decreased polyfunctional CMV-specific T-cell immunity after HCT, and 2) COMPASS is an analytical tool that can effectively measure polyfunctional CMV-specific T-cell immune responses. Read full article Cardiology FDA Takes Key Step Toward Banning Menthol in Cigarettes and Cigars According to a press release from April 2021, “the FDA is working toward issuing proposed product standards within the next year to ban menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and ban all characterizing flavors (including menthol) in cigars.” Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock, MD, said the agency had now “accumulated sufficient evidence establishing the addictiveness and harm from menthol,” which provides a “trajectory” toward ending tobacco-related disease and death. Read full article
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