5 Hematology Headlines You Missed in February 2026

In February 2026, the hematology field was introduced to new guidelines by the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided updated news on rusfertide, and luspatercept (Reblozyl®) met both primary endpoints in a phase 2a trial.

In FDA news, rusfertide received acceptance for its New Drug Application (NDA) and Priority Review as a potential first-in-class therapy for polycythemia vera. Meanwhile, ASH released 8 recommendations for relapsed, refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adolescents and young Adults, and panelist Joselle Cook, MD, MBBS, a hematologist and oncologist, specializing in Myeloma, Amyloid and Plasma cell disorders at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, shared insight into the rationale behind the clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis light chain (AL) amyloidosis.

In terms of research updates, luspatercept met primary endpoints in both non-transfusion-dependent (NTD) and transfusion-dependent (TD) adults with Alpha (α)-Thalassemia in the first registrational phase 2 trial in this population. Otherwise, a recent study discovered an independent association between extreme cold and pain crises in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease, which may be exacerbated by climate change.

In case you missed any of these 5 updates in February 2026, scroll below for HCPLive’s in-depth coverage.

FDA Accepts New Drug Application for Rusfertide, Grants Priority Review In Polycythemia Vera

The acceptance of the NDA and grant of Priority Review for rusfertide to treat polycthemia vera was announced by Takeda and Protagonist on March 2, 2026.

According to the release, the decision was based on results from the phase 3 VERIFY, phase 2 REVIEW, and long-term extension THRIVE study, with the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date set for the third quarter of this calendar year.1

Key Insights on New ASH Guidelines for AL Amyloidosis, With Joselle Cook, MD

HCPLive spoke with panel member Joselle Cook, MD, MBBS, a hematologist and oncologist, specializing in Myeloma, Amyloid and Plasma cell disorders at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota for insight into the rationale behind the guidelines aimed at improving the early, timely, and accurate diagnosis of light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a disease frequently missed or diagnosed late due to its heterogeneous presentation

ASH Releases 8 Recommendations for Relapsed, Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adolescents, Young Adults

New from ASH were 8 clinical recommendations and 1 research-only recommendation to guide management of relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs), emphasizing immunotherapy approaches.1

The 2026 Guidelines for Management of Relapsed/efractory ALL in AYAs underscore a paradigm shift toward immunotherapies, including blinatumomab and inotuzumab, over chemotherapy while reinforcing the importance of patient-informed, individualized clinical decision-making.

Luspatercept Meets Primary Endpoints in Phase 2 Alpha-Thalassemia Trial

Luspatercept met primary endpoints in NTD and TD adults with Alpha (α)-Thalassemia, marked as the first registrational phase 2 trial in this population.

The positive top-line results were announced by Bristol Meyer Squibb on February 23, 2026, including that luspatercept increased hemoglobin in NTD and reduced transfusion burden in TD, along with meeting all secondary endpoints and exhibiting a consistent safety profile

Extreme Cold Independently Associated with Pain Episodes in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

A retrospective study found an independent association between increased pain episodes in sickle cell disease and cold weather amid increasingly extreme weather.

The findings highlight the association between extreme weather, both hot and cold, and vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), and suggest a potential protective effect of higher temperatures on acute chest syndrome (ACS).