New research from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute was presented at the 58th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. Two notable studies presented at ASH are summarized below: Two Genetic Mutations Discovered in Subset of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Two genetic mutations known to play a role in many solid cancers might also help explain why a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients develop the disease, according to new research from the OSUCCC – James. The mutations (which occur in the CCND1 and CCND2 genes) have been previously implicated in solid tumors but this new report represents some of the first data describing the role of these mutations in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML), a form of cancer that affects blood-forming tissue (bone marrow). For more information on this study, read the full release here. Psychosocial Factors Associated With High Readmission Rates, Longer Hospital Stays A new study shows that psychosocial risk factors that impact a person’s ability to cope with chronic stress are associated with significantly higher readmission rates and longer hospital stays among blood cancer patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This, says, researchers at the OSUCCC – James, is a critical clinical concern and area of unmet need for patients who require intensive treatment to eradicate their cancer that should be addressed in a systematic way by the oncology community. For more information on this study, read the full release here. ASH brought together leaders in the hematology field, December 3 – 6 in San Diego, Calif. The ASH meeting is the world’s premier event in malignant and non-malignant hematology, offering educational experience and the opportunity to review thousands of scientific abstracts highlighting updates in many topics in hematology. Leading up to this meeting, John Byrd, MD, was named to the ASH Executive Committee. The beginning of his term coincided with the annual meeting. Read more about Dr. Byrd and this accomplishment. James Blachly, MD, leukemia researcher and hematologist at the OSUCCC – James, provided expert insight to the conference’s print publication, ASH News Daily. For his key takeaways from the conference, visit the links below: Saturday: “All in the Family” Dr. Blachly recaps the Friday Scientific Workshop on Inherited Hematopoietic Malignancies, aimed at discussing “the scientific advances in understanding the pathogenesis of cancer development in individuals and families with germline mutations and predisposition to bone marrow-derived malignancies.” Sunday: “Put on Your 3-D Glasses” Dr. Blachly writes about two sessions that explored the emerging field of “3-D chromatin structure as an epigenetic control mechanism.” Monday: “A reSMARCable Discovery” “Yesterday’s Plenary Scientific Session was a great mix of clinical, translational, and basic biology, but the second plenary abstract was especially interesting, as it embodied both clinical insights and fundamental cellular biology all in one,” Dr. Blachly writes. Check out the full article for more. Tuesday: “Bone Marrow Maverick” On Monday, ASH honored Dr. David T. Scadden with one of the Society’s highest honors, the E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize, for his important contributions to the bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment. Dr. Blachly wrote about Dr. Scadden’s accomplishments.