Leukemia

Leukemia: Fact Sheet for Patients

Almost everyone has heard of leukemia, but most people do not have a good understanding of this complex disease. How can healthcare providers explain the basics of leukemia to their patients?

Flotetuzumab Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Vicki Moore, PhD

Researchers sought to find out if flotetuzumab shows activity with an acceptable safety profile in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and primary induction failure or early relapse.

Thymoglobulin as GVHD Prophylaxis in AML Conditioning Regimens

By

Patricia Chaney

Study authors retrospectively evaluated effect of thymoglobulin addition in RIC and MAC regimens on the cumulative incidence and severity of acute and chronic GVHD, overall survival, and relapse rate in adult AML patients who underwent URD PBSCT.

Fractionated Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Not Linked With Increased VOD/SOS Risk in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Among patients with de novo AML, fractionated-dose gemtuzumab ozogamicin does not appear to increase the risk of hepatic VOD/SOS after HSCT.

Study Data Detail Biological Basis for Health Disparity in Pediatric B-Cell ALL

By

Leah Lawrence

Investigators of this single-center analysis compare the incidence of CRLF2 rearrangement and IKZF1 deletion in Hispanic/Latino vs non-Hispanic/Latino children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

Fractionated Busulfan Improves NRM and Survival in AML and MDS

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Researchers compare fractionated busulfan myeloablative conditioning to traditional RIC in elderly patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Pyridoxine Plus Pyridostigmine Beneficial for Neurotoxicity in ALL

By

Patricia Chaney

A team of investigators prospectively evaluated pediatric patients with ALL to determine the effectiveness of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) plus pyridostigmine therapy for vincristine-induced neurotoxicity.

American Society of Hematology Releases Updated Guidelines for Treating Newly Diagnosed AML in Older Adults

By

Julie Scott, ANP-BC, AOCNP

This review of the guidelines is presented as 6 questions and answers that help direct treatment decision for patients 65 and older with newly diagnosed AML.

Survey Reveals Varied Treatment of VTE in Pediatric Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

A team of researchers identified a lack of standardized practices for treating venous thromboembolism among pediatric patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Measurable Residual Disease Is Prognostic Factor Before Transplantation in First and Second Remission of Ph+ ALL

By

Patricia Chaney

A team of investigators evaluated the effect of measurable residual disease at time of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with ALL undergoing transplantation during either first or second complete remission.

Blinatumomab as Salvage Therapy for Pediatric R/R B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Among pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the use of blinatumomab may provide encouraging response rates.

Sodium Bicarbonate Associated With Enhanced GVL Effect in AML Following Allo-HSCT

By

Caroline Seydel

Investigators assessed sodium bicarbonate’s viability as a pharmacologic strategy in mouse models and humans with acute myeloid leukemia.

Combination Sitagliptin, Tacrolimus, Sirolimus for Prophylaxis of Acute Graft-vs-Host-Disease

By

Patricia Chaney

Investigators aimed to determine whether DPP-4 inhibition reduces the incidence of acute graft-vs-host disease among patients receiving allogeneic HSCT.

Reduced-Intensity Conditioning May Not Improve Post Allogeneic HSCT Outcomes in AML

By

Patricia Chaney

A sequenced reduced-intensity conditioning regimen may not improve outcomes for patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia and myelodysplasia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Uncertainties Surround Optimal Dosing of Cytarabine in AML

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

This review of relevant medical literature considers concerns about the cumulative dose, dose rate, and dosing schedule of cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Outcomes of Adding a Fourth Chemotherapy Course in AML

By

Patricia Chaney

For patients with acute myeloid leukemia, a total of 4 courses of chemotherapy may improve relapse rates but not overall survival, compared with 3 total courses of treatment.

PARP Inhibition Associated With Increased Risk for Secondary MDS, AML

By

Christina Bennett, MS

Investigators estimated the risk for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) related to PARP inhibition.

Idelalisib Does Not Increase Risk for Bleeding in Patients With CLL, Indolent NHL Receiving Anticoagulation/Antiplatelet Therapy

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

This post-hoc analysis assessed the incidence and characteristics of bleeding-related adverse events in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma enrolled in the idelalisib registration trials.

Oral Azacitidine to Improve Survival in First-Remission Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Patricia Chaney

Maintenance therapy with oral azacitidine leads to longer overall survival in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Total Body Irradiation vs Chemotherapy Conditioning for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

By

Patricia Chaney

Investigators compared outcomes of chemotherapy conditioning with total body irradiation prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Improvements Seen in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation-Related Mortality

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Experts assessed mortality rates linked to allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the past 40 years using data from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry.

Integrated Palliative, Oncology Care Improves Quality of Life in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Investigators assessed the effectiveness of integrated palliative and oncology care on end-of-life outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Iclusig Approved for Resistant or Intolerant Chronic-Phase CML

By

Brian Park, PharmD

The sNDA approval is based on efficacy and safety data from the open-label phase 2 OPTIC trial and 5-year data from the phase 2 PACE trial.

Pediatric-Inspired Regimen Promising in Adolescents, Young Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

A pediatric treatment-inspired approach may improve outcomes among adolescent and young adult patients with Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Prognostic Biomarker Testing in CLL/SLL Remains Low

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

Clinicians are not following guideline recommendations, as prognostic biomarker testing for CLL/SLL remains low and affects treatment selection.

Liso-Cel Plus Ibrutinib Demonstrated Efficacy in R/R CLL/SLL

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

A phase 1 trial demonstrated antitumor activity of liso-cel plus ibrutinib with low rates of grade 3 or higher CRS and neurotoxicity among heavily pretreated patients with CLL/SLL.

Hairy Cell Leukemia and Hairy Cell Variant: BSH Updates in Diagnosis and Management

By

Caleb Rans, PharmD

The British Society for Haematology released an updated guideline, listing recommendations for the diagnosis and management of hairy cell leukemia and hairy cell variant.

Fixed Duration Ibrutinib-Venetoclax for CLL Resulted in High Rate of Undetectable MRD

By

Leah Lawrence

Confirmed undetectable MRD after 12 cycles may result in treatment discontinuation.

Azacitidine vs Decitabine in Unfit, Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Investigators compared clinical outcomes between unfit patients with newly diagnosed AML who were treated with either azacitidine or decitabine.

Decitabine With Venetoclax as Salvage Therapy in R/R Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

For younger patients with relapsed or refractory AML, the use of decitabine with venetoclax may be an appropriate salvage therapy, and is comparable to intensive chemotherapy regimens.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Combination Therapy Promising for AML, MDS

By

Patricia Chaney

Researchers reviewed the challenges and future developments in ICI combination therapies for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Venetoclax in Combination With FLAG-IDA Is Efficacious in Newly Diagnosed or Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Venetoclax in combination with fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and idarubicin may benefit patients with treatment-naive or relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Does Prior TKI Therapy Affect Outcomes in R/R AML Treated With Gilteritinib?

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Investigators retrospectively assessed whether previous TKI therapy may affect response and survival outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Antileukemic Activity Seen With Flotetuzumab in Primary Induction Failure, Early-Relapse AML

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Study results suggest that flotetuzumab demonstrates antileukemic activity in patients with primary induction failure and early-relapse acute myeloid leukemia.

Sustained CLL Response Seen With Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax After MRD Negativity

By

Leah Lawrence

Even patients who did not achieve MRD negativity at 1 year had stable or decreasing disease levels.

Cytarabine in Young Adults With AML: Subcutaneous Injection Noninferior to IV Infusion

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Open-label, randomized clinical trial sought to determine noninferiority of subcutaneous and IV infusion cytarabine in young adults with AML.

Posttransplant Azacitidine for High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Vicki Moore, PhD

There may be no relapse-free survival or overall survival benefits with posttransplant azaciditine in patients with high-risk AML or MDS.

Discontinuation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

By

Vicki Moore, PhD

Study results suggested that the discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for chronic myeloid leukemia may be safe, without limiting remission.

Current State and Future Directions for Treating NPM1-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Investigators addressed challenges associated with the biology, diagnosis, and current state of treatment for patients with NPM1-mutated AML.

Possible Role for Comprehensive Molecular Profiling–Based Treatment Selection in Newly Diagnosed AML, Study Suggests

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

This approach requires a team-coordinated effort by investigators, patients, and caregivers, as well as genomic and cytogenetic laboratories.

Features of Lung Cancer Treatment–Related AML

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

Therapy-related AML after lung cancer is rare, but is associated with poor prognosis.

Predictors of Late Effects in Young AML Survivors Explored

Most common late effects were endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory; likelihood of late effects up for those who underwent HSCT.

Postmarketing Observational Study of Tisagenlecleucel for ALL or NHL Yields Promising Results

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

Researchers report on results with CAR-T therapy in real-world populations of patients with ALL or NHL.

Ivosidenib Plus Azacitidine Well-Tolerated in Select Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By

Patricia Chaney

A phase 1b trial found ivosidenib with azacitidine well-tolerated in patients with AML who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Promising Results for Chemotherapy-Free Induction/Consolidation Therapy in Philadelphia-Positive ALL

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

Patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL were treated with dasatinib and blinatumomab during induction and consolidation therapy — without chemotherapy.

Relapse Risk Reduced in Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor, Decitabine

By

Patricia Chaney

Among patients with AML, maintenance therapy with rhG-CSF plus decitabine led to fewer relapses compared with patients who received no treatment after HSCT.

Anti-CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy Effective in Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Investigators aimed to determine and compare outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory ALL who were treated with anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy.

Survival Outcomes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Associated With Measureable Residual Disease Status

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Among patients with acute myeloid leukemia, minimal residual disease-negativity may be linked to improved survival rates.

Some Patients With AML Secondary to MPN May Benefit From Venetoclax in Combination With a Hypomethylating Agent

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

Venetoclax, a BCL2 inhibitor, used in combination with a HMA improved outcomes in a cohort of 9 patients with AML secondary to MPN.

Novel Prognostic Model Predictive of Survival in Ibrutinib-Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Researchers evaluated and validated the effectiveness of a 4-factor prognostic model among patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib.

Real-World Benchmarks for Response to Second and Third FLT3 Inhibitor Exposure in FLT3-Mutated AML

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

Addition of midostaurin, a first-generation FLT3 inhibitor, to frontline induction therapy is currently a standard approach to the treatment of FLT3-mutated AML.