HEMATOLOGY

The novel targeted agent ibrutinib has demonstrated dramatic activity in hard-to-treat patients with CLL when used alone and in combination with rituximab, raising the prospect of a promising new therapy for elderly and frail patients who currently have few viable options.

Mark J. Levis, MD, PhD, discusses the design and results of a phase II trial of quizartinib in patients with FLT3-ITD positive or negative relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

The combination of pomalidomide and a steroid significantly improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma, marking what researchers say is a notable advancement for a sizable proportion of those treated for the disease.

Researchers have demonstrated that ponatinib can overcome a wide range of mutations that cause treatment resistance—including the stubborn T315I mutation—in all stages of CML and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).

Pamela Crilley, DO, explains the benefits and downfalls of prescribing tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of CML.