Protective role of neonatal CMV infection in B-ALL; GVHD targets organoid-forming bile duct stem cells; seven-year outcomes for venetoclax-ibrutinib therapy in MCL

In this week's episode we'll learn how cytomegalovirus infection early in life depletes preleukemic cells in a mouse model of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After that we'll discuss new research, where GVHD targets organoid-forming bile duct stem cells in a TGF-beta-dependent manner. Conversely, a TGF-beta inhibitor protects these stem cells against GVHD and mitigates biliary dysfunction. Finally, we'll hear about the seven-year outcomes for venetoclax-ibrutinib in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. In addition to long-term survival benefits, researchers report durable treatment-free remissions and effective retreatment in patients with MRD-negative complete responses.

Featured Articles: 

• Early-life infection depletes preleukemic cells in a mouse model of hyperdiploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic
  leukemia
• GVHD targets organoid-forming bile duct stem cells in a TGF-β–dependent manner
• Seven-year outcomes of venetoclax-ibrutinib therapy in mantle cell lymphoma: durable responses and
  treatment-free remissions