ASH Agenda for Hematology Research: 2006-2008

The "ASH Agenda for Hematology Research: 2006-2008" is the product of a comprehensive strategic planning process undertaken by ASH to identify and prioritize the most fertile areas of current research in hematology.

The document was initiated in response to a meeting of the ASH leadership with National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Director Betsy Nabel, MD, in the Fall of 2005. At that time, Dr. Nabel described her intent to take a critical look at scientific directions for the Institute over the next five to 10 years and to examine business operations as well, and encouraged ASH’s involvement in this process. Consequently, ASH solicited input from and drew on the extensive expertise of all members of the Society’s 14 Scientific Committees. Following a meeting of the Society leadership with the Scientific Committee Chairs last December, an initial draft was developed. The draft was substantially revised and reorganized following a full-day meeting of the Scientific Committee Chairs in January and subsequent further input from the Committee members and other scientific thought leaders in ASH. A final version was developed during the ASH Executive Committee April meeting, with final input from the members of the Scientific Committees. While the document was instigated by the strategic planning process at the NHLBI, the issues identified by ASH are not restricted to research supported by NHLBI, but rather serve as a broad hematology research agenda applicable to many NIH institutes and funding agencies.

This plan for hematology research is divided into two parts. First, we summarize major scientific priorities, including the most promising directions for future hematology research in the areas of stem cells, hematopoiesis, hematologic malignancies, targeted and gene therapeutics, immunobiology, and thrombosis and vascular biology. Second, we recommend the most important priorities for development of research infrastructure to facilitiate all areas of hematology research, emphasizing needs for training and core facilities. Please keep in mind that this is intended to be a summary of the highest priority themes for hematology for the next three years. We cannot be all inclusive or identify every area of hematologic research without turning this document into a catalogue of hematology research, which would not be responsive to the need for strategic planning.

The ASH research agenda will be a dynamic document that will be subject to ongoing review and revision. It is intended to provide a strategic framework for research in our discipline, which we believe will continue to make pathbreaking advances in understanding, preventing, and treating human diseases.

Return to Policy Statements