Clinical Advancements in Hematological Malignancies
Hematological cancers, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), remain the primary clinical battlegrounds for CD47 therapeutics in 2026. Because blood cancers often express exceptionally high levels of CD47, they are particularly sensitive to blockade.
The "first generation" of CD47 antibodies, such as Magrolimab, paved the way by demonstrating that blocking the axis could lead to complete remissions in patients who had failed standard chemotherapy. By 2026, the focus has evolved toward Combination Strategies. Clinical trials are now standardizing the use of CD47 inhibitors alongside hypomethylating agents (like Azacitidine). This combination is synergistic: the chemotherapy induces stress in the cancer cells, increasing the expression of "eat me" signals, while the CD47 inhibitor removes the "don't eat me" shield. This dual approach has shown significant improvement in overall survival rates for elderly AML patients who are ineligible for intensive induction chemotherapy
