Hematologic Cancers

Orlando, FL–New agents with novel targets have revolutionized management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, all drugs have risks and benefits. At the 57th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, 3 separate presentations highlighted toxicity concerns related to idelalisib, ibrutinib, and venetoclax: hepatotoxicity with idelalisib, drug–drug interactions with ibrutinib, and the need for careful dosing at initiation of venetoclax. Read More ›

An open-label, randomized, phase 2 study evaluated the all-oral triplet combination of ixazomib (an orally administered proteasome inhibitor) plus cyclophosphamide (at 2 different doses) and low-dose dexamethasone (ICd) as a 12-month induction therapy in previously untreated, transplant-ineligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Read More ›

Presence of cytogenetic abnormalities (CAs) is considered to be an important prognostic factor in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), with some evidence suggesting that bortezomib-based combinations may overcome the poor prognosis associated with CAs, such as t(4;14), t(14;16), or deletion of 17p (del [17p]). Read More ›

Imatinib mesylate (IM) at 400 mg/day is the standard of care as first-line therapy in patients with newly diagnosed, chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML). Based on evidence that patients with high imatinib trough levels achieved higher rates of major molecular response (MMR), the randomized OPTIM-imatinib trial was conducted to evaluate the value of imatinib dose optimization according to imatinib C_min levels in newly diagnosed patients with CP-CML. Read More ›

Orlando, FL-Bacterial infections during induction chemotherapy in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can largely be prevented with fluoroquinolone prophylaxis, according to a prospective, multicenter study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) ALL Consortium. Read More ›

In contrast to current recommendations to continue tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy indefinitely, emerging evidence indicates that patients with sustained molecular responses (MRs) on imatinib therapy may achieve deep MRs and durable treatment-free remission with nilotinib in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML). Read More ›

Although there have been several trial-based studies on the use of ruxolitinib in patients with lower-risk myelofibrosis (MF), Keith L. Davis, MA, Senior Director of Health Economics at RTI Health Solutions and colleagues sought to conduct a study in the real-world setting. Read More ›

IDH mutations have been observed among various groups of patients, including those with glioblastoma multiforme, grade 2 and 3 gliomas, and secondary glioblastomas, as well as patients with acute myeloid leukemia. However, limited data exist among patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. Read More ›

With recent evidence pointing to a link between chronic inflammation and Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and myelofibrosis, Hans Carl Hasselbalch, MD, DMSc, and Mads Emil Bjorn, MD, PhDc, Department of Hematology, Roskilde Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, recently published a review article purporting that myeloproliferative neoplasms are inflammatory diseases. Read More ›

Great advances have been made in our understanding of how myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)–essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis (MF)–result in overproduction of inflammatory markers, according to Holly L. Geyer, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hospital Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, and colleagues. Read More ›