Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Meeting, Atlanta, 10-13 December 2005 Scientific Editors: George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Gordon McVie, European Institute of Oncol
Reporting from:American Society of Hematology Meeting, Atlanta, 10-13 December 2005Scientific Editors:George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, BostonGordon McVie, European Institute of Oncology, MilanPat Price, Christie Hospital, ManchesterGianni Bonadonna, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, MilanProducer:Derek Thorne
In this edition:
It is not necessary to use rituximab along with standard CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, predinsone) induction therapy among patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. So saidSandra Horningat a packed lymphoma meeting during the ASH confderence. According to the findings of a new study reported to the ASH conference, however, the use of rituximab mainenance, after the induction therapy, brings strong improvements in clinical outcome.
The original IRIS study showing the runaway superiority of imatinib after one year over standard treatment for cronic myeloid leukemia has now been followed up to maturity.John Goldmantold the ASH audience the study results strongly endorses the use of imatinib as the gold standard treatment.
Michael Keatingtold the Atlanta conference that adding rituximab to standard fluydarabine plus cyclophosphamide therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia has helped patients survive longer.
Interviews in this edition:
1. Rituximab Maintenance after Chemotherapy Gives Better Outcomes in Advanced Follicular Lymphoma
Sandra Horning
Abstract 349Sandra Horning, Stanford University Medical CenterIt is not necessary to use rituximab along with standard CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, predinsone) induction therapy in patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. However, the use of rituximab maintenance, after induction therapy, brought clear benefits among patients in the study.
2. Rituximab Plus CHOP Induction then Rituximab Maintenance: Big Gains in Relapsed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Marinus Van Oers
Abstract 353Marinus Van Oers, Academic Medical Center, AmsterdamThe use of rituximab as part of both induction and maintenance therapy for relapsed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has now been endorsed.
3. First Line Immuno-Chemotherapy: Efficacy Confirmed in Follicular Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Philippe Solal-Celigny
Abstract 350Philippe Solal-Celigny, Centre Jean Bernard, Le MansRituximab contributed to improvements in clinical outcomes among patients with follicular non Hodgkin’s lymphoma who were treated first line with this immunotherapy combined with standard CVP chemotherapy. But an additional and greater benefit was found among patients randomized to receive further maintenance immunotherapy with rituximab.
4. AMN 107: Inhibitor of BCR-ABL Active in Imatinib Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia or Philadelphia-positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Hagop Kantarjian
Abstract 37Hagop Kantarjian, MD Anderson Cancer Center, HoustonAlthough imatinib brings control to more than 90% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, the drug does not suppress disease in other patients. One of the two leading alternative agents, however, AMN 107, has now given promising responses among patients whose disease evades the effects of imatinib.
5. Dasatinib: Phase II Remissions in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Andreas Hochhaus
Andreas Hochhaus, University of Heidelberg, ManheimAnother tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the BCR ABL pathway, dasatinib, has also achieved positive results among patients whose chronic myeloid leukemia is resistant or refractory to imatinib.
6. Four Year Results from IRIS Confirm Imatinib Benefit
John Goldman
John Goldman, Imperial College, LondonThe original IRIS study compared imatinib with the combination of interferon plus cytarabine for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. The runaway superiority of imatinib (noticed after one year) has now confirmed at four years of follow up, strongly endorsing the use of imatinib as the gold standard treatment.
7. CMLVAX100 Trial – Peptide Vaccination for CML
Monica Bocchia
Abstract 167Monica Bocchia, University of Siena, ItalyA vaccine targeting a protein junction of BCR ABL has achieved partial, complete, and even molecular remissions among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, raising hopes of yet another weapon in the armory for patients whose disease is resistant to imatinib.
8. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Salvage Therapy: Gemtuzumab Adds to ATRA and Chemotherapy Benefit
Abstract 1849Richard Schlenk, University of UlmThe addition of gemtuzumab to a salvage regimen appears to bring benefits among patients with acute myeloid leukemia who have failed other therapies.
9. Imatinib Brings Benefits in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Bella Patel, Royal Free Hospital, LondonImatinib has achieved improvements in clinical outcomes among patients with Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
10. Chemo-Immunotherapy: Best Initial Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Abstract 2118Michael Keating, MD Anderson Cancer Center, HoustonAdding rituximab to standard fluydarabine plus cyclophosphamide therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia has helped patients survive longer.
11. Salvage Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and the Role of Stem Cell Transplantation
John Gribben, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, LondonThe use of stem cell transplantation, antisense, and the new drug alemtuzumab all bring promise of better outcomes for salvage therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
12. Myelo-Ablative Radio-Immunotherapy Eases Autologous Stem Cell Transplantations in Over 60s with Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Lymphoma
Ajay Gopal
Abstract 487Ajay Gopal, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, SeattleRadioimmunotherapy at myeloablative doses may hold the key to treating patients with lymphoma over the age of 60 who would otherwise be denied transplants on grounds of the treatment being too harsh for their age.
13. New Targeted Therapy for Older Patients with Advanced Acute Myeloid Leukemia
John Pagel
Abstract 397John Pagel, University of Washington, SeattleReduced intensity conditioning, sometimes called “mini transplants” offer an option which could safely be used to treat older patients with multiple myeloma.
14. Phase III Study of Lenalidomide Plus Dexamethasone versus Dexamethasone Alone in Multiple Myeloma
Meletios Dimopoulos
Abstract 6Meletios Dimopoulos, University of Athens, Greece58% of patients with heavily pre-treated multiple myeloma responded to a combination of the thalidomide analog lenalidomide combined with the standard drug dexamethazone, as compared with only 22% treated with dexamethazone alone. The study of 700 patients found better response rates and time to progression in the lenalidomide-treated group.
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