See what scientists world-wide have been citing and sharing. In this Web Focus we highlight a selection of articles from 2019, which top the list of the journal’s most cited and most shared (including press coverage, blogs, Twitter, Facebook and Weibo). They showcase the breadth of scope and coverage that the journal consistently delivers to its readers.

Growth in research coming from Asia, specifically China, over recent years has been pronounced. China has now surpassed the US in terms of global publications output and is challenging the US and Europe in terms of R&D investment. Not only has the volume of research increased but the quality of research has also improved with the volume of citations increasing and a greater percentage of top cited authors now coming from this region. This collection showcases a selection of top cited articles published in Leukemia from authors hailing from this region.

See what scientists world-wide have been citing and sharing. In this Web Focus we highlight a selection of articles from 2018 which top the list of the journal’s most cited and most shared (including press coverage, blogs, Twitter, Facebook and Weibo). They showcase the breadth of scope and coverage that the journal consistently delivers to its readers.

We are pleased to organize this supplement on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) composed of selected recently published articles from Leukemia. AML is a paradox. From a biological perspective it is a relatively simple neoplasm, a median of 5 mutations per case versus a median of 75 to 100 in patients with pancreas and lung cancers. Cure rates in AML have improved steadily, albeit slowly, over recent decades. In contrast, therapy (typically with cytarabine and an anthracycline) has not changed substantially in more than 40 years. Although the molecular biology of AML is relatively well understood and mutations nicely defined, these data have not led to meaningful therapy advances in most persons with AML. The collection begins with an editorial which focuses on the important question of what is the best endpoint for trials of new therapies of AML, followed by two reviews – one focusing on the value of possible measurable residual disease (MRD)–testing in conventional and transplant settings; and one on treating the older patient, a generation in which AML is predominant. Three research articles complete the collection covering the mutation landscape of AML, the impact of increasingly intensive therapies, and a possible new therapy approach: anti–CD33 CAR–T cells. We hope you enjoy the breadth and depth of articles in this collection that has been produced with support of a grant from Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a member of the Otsuka group). This collection represents only a few of the important AML studies published in Leukemia - please see the www.nature.com/leu for many more. As always, Springer Nature retains sole responsibility for all editorial content. Robert Peter Gale MD, PhD, DSc(hc), FACP and Andreas Hochhaus MD Editors-in-Chief, Leukemia

In this special supplement to Leukemiawe present several recently published reports which highlight where chronic lymphocytic leukemia research is headed.

The articles in this Focus collection highlight new developments in our understanding and management of persons with CML.

The clonal evolution spotlight series will provide comprehensive reviews on the evolutionary aspects of common hematopoietic malignancies. The reviews will cover key topics including biological principles guiding the evolutionary process, methodological considerations, and importantly, a perspective on applying this knowledge to improve patient care.

“Epigenetics” refers to changes in the gene expression occurring without alterations in DNA sequence. Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic abnormalities may underlie the pathogenesis of many types of leukemia. Accordingly targeting these abnormalities is a very plausible approach to leukemia therapy. These possibilities have prompted Leukemia to publish an “Epigenetics in Hematologic Malignancies” focus collection. The papers in the collection range from the more “basic” to the more “clinical”.

In this focus collection we will provide comprehensive reviews by experts in the field that cover a range of topics including the biological and clinical value of miRNAs in leukemia, normal hematopoiesis and the immune system, the tight epigenetic control of the miRNA machinery, a critical evaluation of methods for target gene prediction and functional studies and the clinical interference with miRNA function as new treatment options in leukemia.

Follicular helper T cells (TFH) are able to closely interact with B cells to promote the formation of germinal centers (GCs). The stable cognate interaction between TFH and B cells in the GC is mutually beneficial to both cells for their development and function. Specifically, help B cells produce long-lived memory B cells and high-affinity antibodies and, in reciprocation, TFH cells are helped by B cells for further differentiation through cell cognation. This results in effective antibody responses to provide protection against pathogenic microbes. This focus presents links to related articles from across Springer Nature to provide more background information about these cells.

The January 2012 special issue presents two important strategies for generating potent and lasting anti-tumor immunity. The first strategy is to subvert immune suppressive networks in the tumor microenvironment. The second strategy is to optimize conventional and anti-biological modalities to directly target tumor and adjacent tumor tissue, and mobilize and expand anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment which results in tumor eradication. Further background information on this important topic is available through the accompanying web focus which links to related articles from across Springer Nature.

This focus is dedicated to Prof. Ernest McCulloch who opened the way to modern stem cell studies and remains a vivid figure for all those working in the field today.