Hematologic Oncology

Treatment with the TKI sorafenib in combination with standard chemotherapy increased event-free survival by 11.3 months compared with standard chemotherapy plus placebo in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

Some patients with heavily treated acute myelogenous leukemia benefited from treatment with the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (ABT-199).

Almost 90% of patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma responded to the targeted combination of ibrutinib and rituximab.

Patients with HIV-associated lymphoma can effectively be treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with outcomes that are similar to patients without HIV.

Treatment with nilotinib in combination with chemotherapy elicited complete hematological remissions in 87% of elderly patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The novel drug AG-221 generated durable remissions in patients with AML by targeting a mutation of the IDH2 gene in a small, first-in-man study that represents a new, chemotherapy-free approach for attacking the malignancy.

The anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cell therapy CTL019 demonstrated an impressive 92% complete response rate in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Farhad Ravandi, MD, from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, describes results from the phase III VALOR trial that explored vosaroxin plus cytarabine versus placebo and cytarabine in patients with first relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Eytan Stein, MD, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses new data from a phase I study exploring the oral IDH2 inhibitor AG-221 in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies, primarily acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

At least 80% of patients with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia had a complete minimal residual disease response after a single cycle of treatment with the CD19-directed antibody blinatumomab.

Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD, of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, discusses the optimal treatment settings for novel CD19-specific CAR-modified T cell therapies in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The FDA has approved the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib as treatment for patients with polycythemia vera who are resistant or intolerant to hydroxyurea

The FDA has approved the bispecific T cell engager antibody blinatumomab as a treatment for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The top research being presented at the 2014 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting will focus on immunotherapies and novel agents, according to Marcel R.M. van den Brink, MD, PhD.

Marcel R.M. van den Brink, MD, PhD, Head, Division of Hematologic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, provides an overview of five notable studies being presented at the 2014 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Meeting and Exposition.

Award reception and gala will recognize the work and achievements of individuals dedicated to improving the lives of people living with rare blood disorders

The treatment of patients with multiple myeloma is poised to undergo a dramatic transformation, as novel monoclonal antibodies and combination strategies race toward approval.

The FDA has extended the review period for panobinostat (LBH589) in combination with bortezomib (Velcade) and dexamethasone for patients with previously treated multiple myeloma by 3 months, placing a new decision date in early 2015.

The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy JCAR015 has received a breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA as a treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Joshua Brody, MD, assistant professor, Icahn School of Medicine, director, Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program, Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses exciting new therapies for lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The FDA has granted an orphan drug designation to the novel AXL inhibitor BGB324 (R428) for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).