Hematology

A recent survey by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society found that the majority of adults are surprised by the prevalence of blood cancers-specifically the prevalence of acute lymphocytic leukemia among children and young adults.

A recent report, “Toxicology Cluster Chemotherapy Related Toxicity Drug Development Pipeline Review, 2017,” presents a summary of drugs in development to treat chemotherapy-related toxicities.

New results published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report have identified a surge in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during the period 2001 to 2008, followed by stabilization during 2008 to 2014.

Patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma now have a new treatment option: copanlisib, a kinase inhibitor that was recently approved through the FDA’s accelerated approval process.

The assumption in the United States is that once someone with cancer is cured, done with treatment, and healthy, that they are now okay. However, the reality is that survivors contend with lingering challenges that aren’t visible and make it difficult for them to ask for help or admit they need it.

The treatment, which was approved nearly 2 decades ago but withdrawn due to safety and efficacy concerns, now has a new indication.

A look at some of the major developments in the chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell space.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells can re-expand in a lymphoma patient months after the initial infusion and can also be active against the patient’s cancer, according to a new study.

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology identifies an increased role for physicians in boosting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among childhood cancer survivors to reduce their risk of a second cancer.

The FDA has approved Besponsa (inotuzumab ozogamicin) for treating adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Patient reported data can be a reliable source of information to ascertain comorbidities in patients with prostate cancer, says JAMA Oncology study.

The results of a phase 2 study that explored the effects of luspatercept in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were presented at the 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Association by Acceleron Pharma Inc. The company is developing the drug with Celgene.

There’s a lot happening in clinical practice with immunotherapy treatments: expanded indications for nivolumab and ipilimumab, biomarkers to judge patient response to combinations, and developments with CAR-T.

Enasidenib (Idhifa), developed by Celgene and Agios, has been granted FDA approval in tandem with a companion diagnostic test to detect IDH-2 mutations.

Venetoclax (Venclexta), in combination with low dose cytarabine, has been granted a breakthrough therapy designation for use in elderly, treatment-naive patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who cannot handle intensive chemotherapy.

A study on long-term remission of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) shows that Kite Pharma’s anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell treatment resulted in remission for up to 56 months.

Managing heavily pretreated, often less fit, patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma is a challenge in routine practice, as illustrated by the fact progression-free survival remains short, although daratumumab-based combination therapies are proven effective, according to results presented during a poster session at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.

A phase 1 study, presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, found that using daratumumab, an antibody that binds and inhibits the CD38 receptor, can improve patient response to treatment.

Updated trial results at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology showed the combinations of daratumumab with either lenalidomide and dexamethasone or bortezomib and dexamethasone prolonged progression-free survival for patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma.

Severe hemophilia often results in a significant economic and psychological burden on patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system as a whole, according to recent research from Europe.

A study published by BloodAdvances, a Journal of the American Society of Hematology, demonstrated the potential of the 2-pronged approach in treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and acute myeloid leukemia.

Treating myelodysplastic syndrome patients with luspatercept can increase hemoglobin and decrease the burden of red blood cell transfusion for more than 26 months, according to new results from a phase 2 trial.

Among a group of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who were previously unresponsive to rituximab, a new antibody could help enable the immune system to attack the cancer cells, according to a study in PLOS One.

The FDA has approved Genentech’s Rituxan Hycela for subcutaneous injection for the treatment of certain blood cancers. Rituxan Hycela has similar outcomes as Rituxan, but can be delivered in 5 to 7 minutes compared with 1.5 hours for Rituxan.

Midostaurin (Rydapt) has been approved by the FDA, in combination with chemotherapy, for the treatment of adult patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a mutation in the FLT3 gene.

The Be The Match Registry has seen phenomenal success with bone marrow and umbilical cord transplants. After having overcome donor availability, it is now important for CMS to create standardized reimbursement policies for the procedure.

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Annual Meeting kicked off on March 28, 2017, in Denver, Colorado, with a look at the specialty pharmaceutical pipeline with Aimee Tharaldson, PharmD, senior clinical consultant for emerging therapeutics at Express Scripts.

The American Journal of Managed Care® presents its annual special issue of Evidence-Based Oncologyâ„¢ featuring full coverage of the 58th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. CAR T-cell treatments gained notice, as did sessions on patients’ improving quality of life and addressing the high costs of new therapies.

As Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan starts to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM), it has dedicated its resources to understanding the model and analyzing data, said Stuart Genschaw, executive director of the Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan. Throughout this process, however, the practice’s main focus is always on “providing great care” to its patients.