Dear CTT authors and readers,

Despite great advances made in targeted treatments of blood cancer, we are still facing a lot of cases, in which these methods are not efficient or safe enough. Аllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), an old method with proven efficacy, is still required to change the course of the disease. For this, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) may be the most obvious showcase.

For the last 150 years CML has been among most studied hematological malignancies. It was the first hematological disorder with marker chromosomal aberration, later a bcr/abl fusion gene, was identified as the main mechanism of disease development. Imatinib, the first clinically used tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), proved to be remarkably effective for long-term CML control, and now TKIs have largely replaced HSCT, which was the only curative treatment method prior to their introduction into clinical practice. Presently, the survival of most patients with CML is the same as in general population. However, there are still some cases, in which common TKI therapy is ineffective. In some of them, 2^nd and 3^rd generation TKIs may be a solution. However, in acceleration phase (AP) and blast crisis (BC), HSCT still remain the method of choice.

An evolution of therapeutic approaches to CML is well illustrated by a review of current European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations presented in this issue of CTT by the head of ELN, Prof. Dr. R. Hehlmann, who is one of the persons defining general strategy of CML treatment. This review specifically concerns second and higher-line TKI therapy in CML based on detection of additional chromosomal aberrations, minimal residual disease levels, previous therapies, and age-dependent comorbidities. These factors are also assessed to determine an individual risk for potential allo-HSCT recipients, when this treatment option is considered.

Also, this issue contains a description of single-center experience of HSCT and targeted therapies in patients with advanced-stage CML presented by Dr. Morozova E. et al. In this extensive cohort containing mainly patients with very unfavorable disease allo-HSCT still has an evident advantage over conservative approaches. Thus, it appears to be a positive answer to the key question posed by Prof. Gale: "Is there a future for hematopoietic cell transplantation?"

Transplantation aspects of blood malignancies are in focus of Cellular Therapy and Transplantation. Our potential authors from different clinics worldwide are invited to present their experience in novel treatments in hematological disorders, including immune and targeted therapy, role of HSCT (including genetically modified stem cells) in malignant and nonmalignant disorders.

Professor Alexander D. Kulagin, Editor-in-Chief, Cellular Therapy and Transplantation Journal