These are phenomenal results,” stated Yoav ­Messinger, MD, a pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and moderator of the session where these findings were presented. “We knew inotuzumab was coming, but we didn’t know how great it could be. We are very excited.”

“The beauty of this is that we know immunotoxins work in ALL. Elderly patients have difficulty tolerating chemotherapy, so giving a gentler chemotherapy with an immunotoxin works,” he continued.

“We hope that this drug will be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ALL. It has a high chance of success in the treatment of adults with ALL. Pediatric oncologists would also like to have it in their armamentarium, especially for poor-risk patients with B-cell ALL.”

Inotuzumab ozogamicin is much easier to administer than blinatumomab (Blincyto), another immunotherapy with encouraging results in ALL, and it has fewer side effects, Dr. Messinger said. ■

Disclosure: Dr. Messinger reported no potential conflicts of interest.