Hematological malignancies are the types of cancer that are most intensively studied from cellular origin, genetic abnormality to drug resistance. Both scientific advances and clinical developments successfully benefit patients with blood cancer by improving our understanding of cancer biology and providing therapeutic avenues. Discoveries of molecular and cellular mechanisms governing hematopoietic homeostasis, lineage differentiation and function execution largely promote biological interpretation and therapeutic innovation for blood cancer. 

Cellular therapy has seen great clinical promises over the past decade against some hematological malignancies, illustrated by 8 approved therapeutic products worldwide. In parallel with the rapidly-evolving clinical practice, scientific research has been focused on rigorous elucidation of how immune cells mediate certain biological processes to exert antitumor function. These findings have enabled further advancement to ameliorate the therapeutic potency of immune cells targeting blood cancer, as well as to extend cellular therapy towards solid tumor, autoimmune disease and aging. 

This meeting co-hosted by Cell Research and Zhejiang University will bring together the most updated breakthroughs in the field of hematology and cellular therapy. From the perspectives of understanding malignant progression and enhancing therapeutic efficacy, we envision this symposium bridging basic research and clinical practice of malignant hematological diseases and cellular therapy through insights sharing, cross-disciplinary discussion and collaboration fostering.