In a nutshell
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between minimal residual disease response and outcomes in patients with relapsed/unresponsive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated with blinatumomab.
This study concluded that achieving minimal residual disease response leads to better outcomes for these patients.
Some background
Blinatumomab (Blincyto) is a drug used as a second-line treatment for relapsed or refractory (unresponsive) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r ALL).
Minimal residual disease (MRD) is where cancer cell levels are lower than a specific level. MRD is the most important prognostic factor (indicates outcome for a patient) for ALL relapse during first-line chemotherapy treatment. MRD is the standard of care (SOC) in treatment monitoring and decision making. The prognostic value of MRD response after relapse is unknown.
Methods & findings
This study involved 90 patients with r/r B-cell precursor ALL. All patients previously had a complete remission (CR – no signs of cancer) or CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh). Patients had been treated with blinatumomab.
71.1% of patients achieved complete MRD response (no detectable MRD). 12.2% of patients had MRD. Overall, 83.3% of patients experienced an MRD response within the first two treatment cycles.
Overall survival (OS) for patients who achieved CR/CRh and MRD response was 20.6 months compared to 12.5 months for patients who achieved CR/CRh without MRD response. Relapse-free survival (RFS) for patients who achieved CR/CRh and MRD response was 9.0 months compared to 2.3 months for patients who achieved CR/CRh without MRD response.
The bottom line
This study concluded that achieving MRD response leads to longer durations of OS and RFS in patients with r/r ALL who achieve CR or CRh after treatment with blinatumomab.
The fine print
This study had a small number of participants. Also, the study was funded by Amgen, the manufacturer of blinatumomab.
Published By :
Blood advances
Date :
Oct 22, 2019
