Top in hem/onc: Blood type and COVID-19, breast cancer risk factors

New research contradicts previous study findings that suggest there is an association between blood type and COVID-19 severity. It was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.

Another top story was about a study that showed certain gene sets and early-life adiposity may be linked to an increased risk for breast cancer.

Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:

Studies contradict earlier findings on blood group and COVID-19 severity, mortality

Previous studies have shown that individuals with blood type A may be more likely to develop COVID-19 and have poor outcomes. However, two studies presented at the virtual ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition showed no significant association between blood group and COVID-19 severity. Read more.

Certain gene sets, early-life adiposity appear to increase breast cancer risk

Women with certain gene sets who reported early-life adiposity appeared to have an increased risk for breast cancer throughout life, according to study results published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Read more.

FDA grants priority review to Lorbrena for lung cancer subset

The FDA granted priority review to lorlatinib (Lorbrena, Pfizer) for first-line treatment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, according to the agent’s manufacturer. Read more.

Virtual negotiation program for women physicians receives AMA grant

The AMA Foundation, on behalf of the AMA Women Physicians Section, awarded a grant to a project focused on the creation and assessment of a virtual negotiation workshop for women physicians. Read more.

Prematurity, other factors appear to increase risk for thrombosis in infants

Infants who were born prematurely, had a low birth weight, experienced sepsis or underwent invasive procedures appeared to be at increased risk for thrombosis, according to study results published in Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Read more.