Scientific report 2024 of the Paediatric Diseases Working Party (PDWP)

The second year of the term under Chairman Krzysztof Kalwak was characterised by significantly increased scientific activity, with a total impact factor of 79.10. Publications in high-ranking journals (Blood, Leukemia, Am J Hematol, et al.), along with growing collaborative efforts—both in Europe and intercontinentally—produced excellent results. PDWP-conducted studies were also presented at the 2024 ASH Meeting in San Diego, in the Oral and Poster Sessions (see news article).

The Paediatrics’ Day at the 50th Annual Meeting of the EBMT was exceptionally well-attended, and two young colleagues—Francesca del Bufalo and Rob Chiesa—received the prestigious Dietrich-Niethammer Award for their exceptional scientific achievements, including publications in NEJM (read more here).

Among the numerous studies conducted by the Working Party, an impactful investigation comparing leukaemia-free survival outcomes between the TCR αß/CD19+ depletion approach and the PTCY approach in paediatric HLA-haploidentical transplants has recently been initiated.

On the education front, the 9th International Transplant and Cellular Therapy Course featured an extensive paediatric programme that occupied almost an entire day of the event.

A major educational event was organised as a joint meeting with TCWP for November 2024. However, it had to be cancelled at the last minute due to a weather emergency in Malaga, Spain. The exciting meeting on complications in CAR T-cell therapy took place in January 2025.