© 2024 HSP News Service, L.L.C.
First responders who worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City were three times more likely to have genetic changes associated with an increased risk of leukemia compared with other first responders or members of the public who were not...
At the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition (Abstract 883), Alexey Danilov, MD, PhD, of the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, reported that single-agent epcoritamab led...
In a German phase III trial (CLL12), reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Langerbeins et al found that ibrutinib prolonged the time to symptomatic disease in patients with early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) vs placebo. However, no differences in overall survival were observed....
Researchers may have discovered a factor contributing to cancer cell evasion of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, according to a recent study published by Chen et al in Cell. The findings could lead to more personalized therapies that improve survival among patients with cancer....
The addition of blinatumomab to chemotherapy may improve disease-free survival in pediatric patients newly diagnosed with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at average or high risk of relapse, according to new findings presented by Rau et al at...
A follow-up study investigating the coadministration of CD19- and CD22-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in children with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) found the therapy is safe and effective and achieved durable remissions in these patients, ...
Researchers have found that the noncovalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTK) pirtobrutinib may offer superior progression-free survival in adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), according to recent findings presented by Sharman et al at the 2024...
A combination of the oral drugs acalabrutinib and venetoclax may be more effective at improving progression-free survival and minimizing serious adverse events in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) compared with one of two standard multidrug treatment regimens,...
Matthew S. Davids, MD, MMSc, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, discusses the primary endpoint evaluation of a phase II trial of the triplet regimen of acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab in a population of patients with TP53-aberrrant chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The triplet was active and well tolerated as a front-line therapy, Dr. Davids noted, and these findings support its use for such patients with high-risk CLL (Abstract 1865).
Rachel E. Rau, MD, of Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Sumit Gupta, MD, PhD, of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, review results from Children’s Oncology Group Study AALL1731, which assessed the addition of blinatumomab to chemotherapy in newly diagnosed childhood standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She explains how the combination may be considered a major breakthrough and new treatment standard in this patient population (Abstract 1).
Nitin Jain, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, discusses the results of a recent trial (Abstract 1011) evaluating the time-limited, combination therapy of the noncovalent Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor pirtobrutinib with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax and the CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Dr. Jain reviews the findings at both 6 and 12 months of combined therapy.
Danielle Wolfe Cohen, MD, of the William L. Carroll Laboratory at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, describes data illuminating the role of an inflammatory phenotype in driving clonal evolution in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The new findings may indicate promising avenues for further research on treatment resistance and disease relapse (Abstract 633).
Anne Sophie Michallet, MD, PhD, of Centre Léon Bérard Hospital, Lyon, France, discusses the final results of the phase II ERADIC trial (Abstract 584), which compared measurable residual disease (MRD)-guided therapy with ibrutinib and venetoclax with a standard combination regimen in patients with intermediate-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Dr. Michallet also emphasizes the importance of defining the best patient profile for this MRD-guided combination given its potential for cardiologic toxicity.
A large prospective observational study of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has found that lower socioeconomic status is a barrier to accessing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) but does not affect posttransplant outcomes. Interventions that address financial issues, improve...
Jennifer R. Brown, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, discusses the findings from the prespecified interim analysis of the phase III AMPLIFY trial (Abstract 1009), which compared fixed-duration acalabrutinib/venetoclax—with or without obinutuzumab—with investigator’s choice of chemoimmunotherapy in fit patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). According to Dr. Brown, this trial met its primary endpoint, with improved progression-free survival reported with this first all-oral fixed-duration regimen.
Jennifer R. Brown, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, discusses the findings from the prespecified interim analysis of the phase III AMPLIFY trial (Abstract 1009), which compared fixed-duration acalabrutinib/venetoclax—with or without obinutuzumab—with investigator’s choice of chemoimmunotherapy in fit patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). According to Dr. Brown, this trial met its primary endpoint, with improved progression-free survival reported with this first all-oral fixed-duration regimen.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently has approved an oral solution of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib mesylate, called Imkeldi, to treat certain types of leukemia and other cancers. The new solution is an advanced liquid formulation of imatinib designed to provide dosing...
A second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy may offer a new option for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive blood cancer with few treatment options. Results from the phase Ib/II FELIX trial, published by Roddie et al in ...
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Russell et al, the NCRI AML18 trial has shown survival benefit with treatment intensification in fit older patients with measurable residual disease (MRD)-positive response after first induction for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Study Details In...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of imatinib (Imkeldi) oral solution, the first oral liquid formulation of the drug to treat certain types of leukemias and other cancers. Background In 2024, an estimated 9,280 patients will be diagnosed with chronic myeloid...
The studies summarized below were reported online over the past month in The ASCO Post, generating a high number of visitors. For comprehensive reviews of these studies and more, visit ASCOPost.com. Trastuzumab Duocarmazine in Previously Treated HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer In the phase...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy obecabtagene autoleucel (Aucatzyl) for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Efficacy and Safety Efficacy was evaluated in...
Researchers have provided new insights into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its resistance to venetoclax, according to a recent study published by Sango et al in Nature. Although AML is a rare disease, approximately 20,800 U.S. patients will be diagnosed in 2024, according to the American Cancer...
In a phase II trial (EWALL-INO) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Chevallier et al found that inotuzumab ozogamicin combined with low-dose chemotherapy was active in the first-line treatment of older patients with newly diagnosed CD22-positive Philadelphia chromosome–negative B-cell...
In an analysis reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Roloff et al found that use of brexucabtagene autoleucel as standard therapy in adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) was associated with a high rate of measurable residual disease (MRD)-negative...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to the BCR::ABL1 kinase inhibitor asciminib (Scemblix) for adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph-positive CML) in chronic phase. The FDA approval was granted on...
The Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) 2024 Annual Meeting showcased several groundbreaking studies in the field of hematologic oncology, including key findings in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The ASCO...
A novel cell therapy targeting CD7 on leukemia cells may provide an effective treatment option for patients with refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to a recent study published by Oh et al in Nature Medicine. The findings highlighted the effectiveness of a new chimeric...
Researchers have found that 80% of patients with previously treated or relapsed/refractory advanced-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)—including both accelerated or myeloid blast phases of the disease—or Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) may have achieved a bone marrow ...
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Chang et al identified potential genomic determinants of relapse risk in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As stated by the investigators, “Although cure rates for childhood ALL exceed 90%, ALL remains a leading cause of cancer...
I was a track and field athlete throughout college, and my goal was to try out for the Olympics, but cancer had other plans for me. In 2010, while in my senior year in college, I began having sharp, shooting pains in my shoulders, which I initially attributed to overzealous training. But the pain...
On March 19, 2024, ponatinib (Iclusig) was granted accelerated approval for use with chemotherapy in adults with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).1 Ponatinib is a multitargeted kinase inhibitor. Supporting Efficacy Data and How It Is Used Approval ...
On March 6, 2024, the anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa), which is bound to a toxic natural calicheamicin, was approved for pediatric patients aged 1 year or older with relapsed or refractory CD22-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.1 Supporting...
In a phase I/II study (AUGMENT-101) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Issa et al found that revumenib, an oral small-molecule inhibitor of the menin-lysine methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) interaction, was active in patients with KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A) relapsed or refractory acute...
Is the optimal first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) monotherapy with a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor or some combination regimen? This clinical question was explored by two speakers at the 2024 Pan Pacific Lymphoma Conference, sponsored by the University of...
Researchers have uncovered that T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may be frequently driven by genetic changes in noncoding portions of the DNA, according to a recent study published by Pölönen et al in Nature. The investigators believe these findings may lead to a paradigm shift in...
With the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has become a chronic disease for most patients. Furthermore, we now know that some patients can successfully stop treatment and remain in remission. “Stopping tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy is something we get a...
In a population-based retrospective cohort study (Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study; TYACSS) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Sunguc et al identified risks of adverse obstetric outcomes among female survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers in England and Wales. Study Details The...
In an updated analysis of a single-center phase II trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Hagop Kantarjian, MD, and colleagues found that the simultaneous combination of ponatinib and blinatumomab continued to be associated with good outcomes in newly diagnosed patients with...
In the phase III ECOG-ACRIN E1910 trial reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Mark R. Litzow, MD, and colleagues found that the addition of blinatumomab to consolidation chemotherapy improved overall survival among adult patients with BCR-ABL fusion–negative B-cell precursor acute...
Agricultural pesticides may carry a similar risk as smoking for some types of cancers, according to a recent study published by Gerken et al in Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society. Background In modern agriculture practices, pesticides are essential to ensure high enough crop yields and food...
Blocking the tyrosine kinase KDR could lead to cell death caused by the degradation of the TAX viral protein, thereby treating diseases associated with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), according to a recent study published by Mohanty et al in Nature Communications. Background HTLV-1 is...
On May 30, 2017, 9 days before I turned 19 and soon after I had completed my sophomore year at college, I was diagnosed with aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. But getting to the diagnosis was a tortuous process. I had been feeling fatigued and losing weight for several weeks prior to the...
In an English and Welsh study (The Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Sunguc et al found that cervical cancer and leukemia survivors have a heightened risk of experiencing several serious obstetric complications. “Therefore, any pregnancy [in these...
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who undergo frequent immunoglobulin G testing may be less likely to experience severe infections than those who don’t undergo frequent testing, according to a recent study published by Soumerai et al in Blood Advances....
On June 14, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved blinatumomab (Blincyto) for adult and pediatric patients aged 1 month and older with CD19-positive, Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the consolidation phase of...
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy affecting young children predominately under the age of 4. The disease is caused by mutations that increase RAS signaling output. While about 50% of patients with JMML are cured after undergoing hematopoietic...
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Fürstenau et al, 4-year follow-up of the phase III GAIA/CLL13 trial showed improved progression-free survival with venetoclax/obinutuzumab and venetoclax/obinutuzumab/ibrutinib vs both chemoimmunotherapy and venetoclax/rituximab in the first-line treatment of...
William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses up to 5.5 years of follow-up data from the phase II CAPTIVATE study, showing that in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), fixed duration ibrutinib plus venetoclax continues to provide clinically meaningful progression-free disease in those with high-risk genomic features as well as in the overall population (Abstract 7009).
Allison M. Winter, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, discusses real-world outcomes with lisocabtagene maraleucel in patients with Richter transformation, a difficult-to-treat population with a poor prognosis. Data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research showed this therapy provided clinical benefit with a high complete response rate (Abstract 7010).