HEMATOLOGY

MedImmune Limited, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca PLC, and Celgene International II Sàrl, a subsidiary of Celgene Corporation, have formed a strategic collaboration for the development and commercialization of AstraZeneca’s anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) agent MEDI4736.

The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy JCAR017 elicited a 91% complete remission rate in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Despite their promise, checkpoint inhibitors are not effective in every patient, and research suggests the STING (stimulator of interferon genes) pathway may hold important clues as to why some tumors fail to respond.

Updated data from a phase II trial of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) in Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM) showed a 2-year overall survival (OS) rate of 95% with the BTK inhibitor.

Duvelisib (IPI-145) is an orally administered, dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) delta (δ) and gamma (γ) isoforms, and the drug is selective for PI3K class I isoforms over other lipid and protein kinases.

The FDA has granted an accelerated approval to an oral suspension formulation of deferasirox (Jadenu) for the treatment of patients aged 2 and older with chronic iron overload due to multiple blood transfusions.

The focus in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) now needs to shift to predictive biomarkers, according to Randy Gascoyne, MD.

Progression on treatment with ibrutinib in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was associated with pretreatment BCL6 abnormalities, acquired mutations in BTK and PLCG2, and complex karyotypes.

To gain new insight on bortezomib’s use in the frontline MCL setting, Targeted Oncology interviewed Andrew Evens, DO, MSc, director of the Tufts Cancer Center.

Although treatments and cure rates have increased significantly over the past 60 years for patients with HL, it is crucial that practitioners stay up-to-date on research that can affect outcomes for their patients with this uncommon form of cancer.

Combination therapy with ibrutinib plus bendamustine and rituximab significantly extended progression-free survival compared with BR alone in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma enrolled in the phase III HELIOS trial.

Cytogenetic and molecular data are becoming increasingly important in the individualization of treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Growth in healthcare spending in the United States continues to outpace growth in European countries that enjoy a similar standard of living.

Through a $21 billion acquisition of Pharmacyclics, AbbVie has announced plans to acquire the blockbuster BTK inhibitor ibrutinib (Imbruvica).

Although advances are being made in novel therapies for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), standard chemotherapy remains part of the treatment paradigm, but its role is undergoing a major shift.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a slow-growing and typically asymptomatic disease, characterized by many relapses.

Experts on hematologic malignancies will convene for the 19th Annual International Congress on Hematologic Malignancies, from February 20-21 in Miami, Florida, to provide insight into recent developments in the treatment of the diseases.

Jae Park, MD, assistant attending physician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses toxicities associated with CAR-modified T cell therapy.

Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) showed promising activity in heavily pretreated, relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

Ian W. Flinn, MD, PhD, discusses the mechanism of action and toxicity profile of duvelisib (IPI-145). Duvelisib is being studied for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.

Representatives Diana DeGette (D, Colorado) and Fred Upton (R, Michigan) recently released a "discussion draft" of the 21st Century Cures Act.

Gareth Morgan, MD, PhD, the director of the Myeloma Institute at the University of Arkansas, discusses gene expression profiling for patients with smoldering myeloma.

The FDA has expanded the approval of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia.

Metastatic disease accounts for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. Ensuring a definitive diagnosis and the most effective treatment in a timely fashion is essential for extending life expectancy.

The FDA has granted a Fast Track Designation to CPX-351, a liposomal formulation of cytarabine and daunorubicin, for the treatment of elderly patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).