Hematologic Oncology

The frontline treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) continues to be debated as imatinib (Gleevec) rapidly approaches the end of its patent protection and next-generation agents continue to show efficacy in clinical trials.

At the recent National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 19th Annual Conference, experts discussed this year's updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. The meeting also included reviews of NCCN Task Force reports on issues in supportive care. We asked eleven NCCN panel members to select the most significant updates and insights presented at the conference.

The novel agents idelalisib and ABT-199 in combination with rituximab have demonstrated impressive activity with manageable toxicity for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

John C. Byrd, MD, from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the promising findings from the phase III RESONATE trial that compared ofatumumab to ibrutinib in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Treatment with single-agent ibrutinib dramatically increased PFS by nearly 80% and significantly extended OS by 57% compared with ofatumumab in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL.

Having a robust armamentarium to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a major triumph in oncology.

Although many patients with cancer now receive chemotherapy as outpatients, most cancer treatment centers do not extend this practice to patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who are receiving initial intensive induction therapy.

Two recently published clinical studies demonstrated a strong association between higher levels of vitamin D and improved outcomes among patients with various cancers.

A phase III study exploring the chemotherapy regimen DHAP plus ofatumumab failed to meet its primary endpoint of prolongation in PFS when compared with DHAP plus rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL.

Over the course of only a few days, two drugs that will be commercialized by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), nivolumab and elotuzumab, have each been granted breakthrough therapy designations by the FDA for the treatment of two different types of blood cancers.

Mark R. Litzow, MD, a professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, discusses novel immunologic therapies for the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Joshua Richter, MD, hematologist/oncologist, multiple myeloma, John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses using the FDA-approved multiple myeloma drug pomalidomide to treat patients with sickle cell disease.

An interview with Renier J. Brentjens, MD, PhD, on new therapies for patients with acute and chronic leukemias, in particular novel immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells.

James R. Berenson, MD, discusses a phase I study presented at the 2013 ASH meeting that analyzed the use weekly carfilzomib for patients with R/R multiple myeloma.

For the past two decades, researchers have been exploring B-cell specific antigens in hopes of developing a new anticancer target that would mirror the success of the CD20-targeting rituximab (Rituxan). Now, strategies aimed at CD19 are proving particularly promising.

Anas Younes, MD, chief, Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the future of treating lymphoid malignancies.

The FDA has approved subcutaneous omacetaxine mepesuccinate injection for home administration in patients with chronic or accelerated phase CML who are resistant or intolerant to treatment with TKIs.

Andre Goy, MD, MS, chairman, director, and chief of the Lymphoma Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses NCCN guidelines for the treatment of lymphomas.

At the 18th Annual International Congress on Hematologic Malignancies, Anas Younes, MD, sat down with Oncology & Biotech News to discuss trends in the management of hematologic malignances.

John F. Seymour, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, from the Department of Hematology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in East Melbourne, Australia, discusses the results of the PRIMA study, which evaluated the benefit of maintenance therapy with rituximab after induction of response with chemotherapy plus rituximab in comparison with no maintenance therapy in patients with advanced follicular lymphoma.

Renier J. Brentjens, MD, PhD, associate professor, chief, Cellular Therapeutics Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the potential application of CAR-modified T cell technology.

The FDA has approved the anti-IL-6 chimeric monoclonal antibody siltuximab as a treatment for HIV- and HHV-8-negative patients with multicentric Castleman's disease.

Rami S. Komrokji, MD, clinical director, Hematologic Malignancies, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses an analysis of pacritinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis.

The FDA has approved ofatumumab plus chlorambucil for previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who are considered inappropriate for treatment with fludarabine therapy.

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses treatment options for patients with CLL who harbor the 17p deletion.