In a nutshell This study examined whether newer therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were associated with higher odds of negative side effects in older patients. The study concluded that CLL patients over age 65 experienced more serious side effects than younger patients. Some background Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is commonly...
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New treatment for children with chronic myeloid leukemia: Dasatinib
In a nutshell This study looked at the safety and effectiveness of dasatinib (Sprycel) to treat children with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase. The authors concluded that dasatinib is a safe and effective treatment. Some background There are few treatments for children (less than 18 years old) with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic...
Read MoreCan chronic myeloid leukemia patients discontinue dasatinib after a year of deep molecular response?
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate if dasatinib could be successfully discontinued in chronic myeloid leukemia patients who were receiving it as a second line treatment after a year of deep molecular response. This study concluded that it was possible to discontinue dasatinib use in this group of patients. Some background Imatinib...
Read MoreWhich donor is best for transplant when a matched donor is not available?
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate which type of donor is best for allogeneic stem cell transplant when a sibling matched donor is not available. This study concluded that both haploidentical (matched but not identical) and international donors can be used for allogeneic stem cell transplant when a sibling matched donor is not...
Read MoreUpdate on guidelines from the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
In a nutshell This study reviewed updated guidelines for diagnosis, indications for treatment, response assessment and supportive management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Some background In 2008, the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL) published guidelines for clinical trials for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. These guidelines were...
Read MoreAnti-thymocyte globulin to prevent complications after transplant in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate the effect of anti-thymocyte globulin on the outcomes of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with Philadelphia negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This study concluded that this group of patients benefited from the use of anti-thymocyte globulin. Some background Stem cell...
Read MoreSorafenib to improve outcome after transplant for patients with FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia
In a nutshell This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sorafenib (Nexavar) on the outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)–internal tandem duplication (ITD) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This study concluded that sorafenib before or after...
Read MoreA new treatment combination for patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of venetoclax (Venclexta) and rituximab (Rituxan) treatment in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This study concluded that venetoclax-rituximab treatment was effective for these patients. Some background Chronic lymphocytic leukemia...
Read MoreSwitching from imatinib to dasatinib for chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia patients
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate if side effects of imatinib (Gleevec) treatment in chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia would improve if patients were switched to dasatinib (Sprycel) treatment. This study concluded that these patients experience improvements in side effects and quality of life once they switch treatment. Some...
Read MoreComparing conditioning regimens for adult patients with Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with stem cell transplant
In a nutshell This study aimed to compare two conditioning treatment regimens for adult patients with Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with stem cell transplant. This study concluded that the regimen that combined etoposide (Etopophos) and total body irradiation was more effective than the regimen that combined cyclophosphamide (Neosar)...
Read MoreHow safe and effective is ponatinib for chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients?
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ponatinib (Iclusig) for patients with chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia. This study concluded that ponatinib is safe and effective in this group of patients. Some background The Philadelphia chromosome (BCR-ABL1) is found in almost all patients with chronic...
Read MoreTreatment options for chronic myeloid leukemia patients with failed imatinib treatment
In a nutshell This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of dasatinib (Sprycel) and nilotinib (Tasigna) in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients with failed imatinib (Gleevec) treatment. This study concluded that dasatinib and nilotinib were safe and effective in this group of patients. Some background Chronic...
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