LABORATORY RESEARCH SF3B1 and Other Novel Cancer Genes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Researchers obtained DNA samples from leukemia cells in 91 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and performed massively parallel sequencing of 88 whole exomes and whole genomes, together with sequencing of matched germline DNA, to characterize the spectrum of somatic mutations in this disease. [N Engl J Med] Abstract | Press Release Nilotinib and MEK Inhibitors Induce Synthetic Lethality through Paradoxical Activation of RAF in Drug-Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Scientists show that imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib possess weak off-target activity against RAF and, therefore, drive paradoxical activation of BRAF and CRAF in a RAS-dependent manner. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Press Release Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Generates Ly-6CHigh Monocytes that Infiltrate Atherosclerotic Lesions Using murine models of atherosclerosis and fate-mapping approaches, researchers show that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells progressively relocate from the bone marrow to the splenic red pulp where they encounter GM-CSF and IL-3, clonally expand, and differentiate to Ly-6Chigh monocytes. [Circulation] Abstract Erythrocyte Plasma Membrane-Bound ERK1/2 Activation Promotes ICAM-4-Mediated Sickle Red Cell Adhesion to Endothelium Since erythrocytes (RBCs) contain abundant extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), scientists predicted that ERK1/2 is functional in sickle RBCs and promotes adherence, a hallmark of sickle cell disease. [Blood] Abstract KIT with D816 Mutations Cooperates with CBFB-MYH11 for Leukemogenesis in Mice Here, researchers transduced wild type and conditional Cbfb-MYH11 knock-in mouse bone marrow cells with KIT D816V/Y mutations. [Blood] Abstract A Small Molecule Screening Strategy with Validation on Human Leukemia Stem Cells Uncovers the Therapeutic Efficacy of Kinetin Riboside Here, investigators present a multi-step in vitro and in vivo approach to identify compounds that can target leukemia-initiating cells in acute myeloid leukemia. [Blood] Abstract Cut and Paste: Restoring Cellular Function by Gene Correction By using a mouse model of sickle cell anemia, the authors were able to “edit” the genome of murine induced pluripotent stem cells, thereby allowing for the re-introduction of a wild-type version of the defective hemoglobin gene. [Cell Res] Abstract | Press Release Runx1 Loss Minimally Impacts Long-Term Hematopoietic Stem Cells Here researchers show that Runx1 deficiency decreases both apoptosis and proliferation, but only minimally impacts the frequency of long term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells. [PLoS One] Abstract Identification of c-Myb Target Genes in K562 Cells Reveals a Role for c-Myb as a Master Regulator The c-Myb transcription factor is an important regulator of hematopoietic cell development. Here, scientists report a set of novel c-Myb target genes, identified using a combined approach: specific c-Myb knockdown by 2 different siRNAs and subsequent global expression profiling, combined with the confirmation of direct binding of c-Myb to the target promoters by ChIP assays. [Genes Cancer] Abstract A Novel Potent Fas Agonist for Selective Depletion of Tumor Cells in Hematopoietic Transplants Here scientists propose the use of a novel Fas agonist with potent pro-apoptotic activity, termed MegaFasL, as an effective ex-vivo purging agent. [Blood Cancer J] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH ABVD Alone versus Radiation-Based Therapy in Limited-Stage Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Researchers randomly assigned 405 patients with previously untreated stage IA or IIA non-bulky Hodgkin’s lymphoma to treatment with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) alone or to treatment with subtotal nodal radiation therapy, with or without ABVD therapy. [N Engl J Med] Abstract | Press Release Dasatinib or Imatinib in Newly Diagnosed Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: 2-Year Follow-Up from a Randomized Phase III Trial (DASISION) In the Phase III DASISION trial, patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia were randomized to receive dasatinib 100 mg (n=259) or imatinib 400 mg (n=260) once daily. [Blood] Abstract |