Hematologic Oncology

The treatment paradigm for chronic lymphocytic leukemia has expanded beyond continuous treatment with BTK inhibitors with the addition of the time-limited regimen of venetoclax plus obinutuzumab.

Targeted DNA sequencing prior to transplant can be used to determine which patients with myelodysplastic syndrome are at high risk for posttransplant relapse and should forego reduced-intensity conditioning in lieu of myeloablative conditioning.

Now, a new type of antibody-based therapy may overcome the limitations of monoclonal antibodies, and it has the potential to disrupt the current treatment paradigm in oncology.

Key opinion leaders discuss treatment goals, considerations, and guideline recommendations for patients with low- or high-risk polycythemia vera.

Evaluating treatment, diagnostic criteria, and risk-assessment tools in polycythemia vera.

Christopher R. D’Angelo, MD, discusses novel therapeutics under investigation in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

There is building evidence that novel combination therapies could be effective in treating early relapsed multiple myeloma.

Genomic sequencing is a critical step in informing the prognosis of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and more information regarding specific subgroups of ALL, such as lineage ambiguous ALL, could pave the way for more personalized therapies for patients.

Although it is too soon to tell whether the addition of a CD20-directed antibody to novel agents in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma should become standard practice, it is clear that immunotherapy could represent the next paradigm shift.

With an increased understanding of disease biology, several approaches are under examination to optimize the management of patients with graft-versus-host disease.

Health Canada has approved the BTK inhibitor zanubrutinib for the treatment of adult patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Christopher R. D’Angelo, MD, discusses sequencing therapies for patients with lymphoma.

Minimal residual disease has helped to predict relapse in numerous leukemia subtypes, with novel testing methods helping to identify the biomarker at a higher sensitivity than ever before.

The treatment landscape of Waldenström macroglobulinemia is becoming increasingly complex with second-generation BTK inhibitors; however, the combination of bendamustine and rituximab remains the frontline standard of care for this patient population.

As more options emerge in the mantle cell lymphoma paradigm, choosing among the agents available has become all the more challenging.

Immune therapy has evolved rapidly in multiple myeloma, and the field is on the verge of major improvements in outcomes.

Although scientific advances in hematology and oncology have been extraordinary, the US health care system faces significant challenges in ensuring that patients receive high-quality, cost-effective care.

Drs Caron A. Jacobson and Krish Patel comment on NGS (next-generation sequencing) and MRD (minimal residual disease) testing in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma.

The rationale for rebiopsying patients who have relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma and the types of molecular information that can be applied to treatment decisions.

Several options have emerged for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who are not candidates to receive chemotherapy, with venetoclax-based regimens chief among them.