In a nutshell This study examined treatment options for patients who did not respond to induction therapy (treatment to induce complete remission). This study concluded that stem cell transplantation (SCT) or a combination of chemotherapy and other therapies are effective options. Some background Induction therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)...
Read MoreCurrent treatment status-Undergoing active treatment-Progressive despite treatment Posts on Medivizor
Early results of blinatumomab in children with relapsed ALL
In a nutshell This study examined the safety and effects of blinatumomab (Blincyto) in children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Researchers concluded that blinatumomab can achieve complete remission in some children with unfavorable ALL. Some background ALL is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Chemotherapy is usually the...
Read MoreExamining bosutinib as a treatment option for patients not responding to multiple first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors
In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of bosutinib (Bosulif), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), after previous treatment with multiple TKIs for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Researchers concluded that bosutinib was associated with good effectiveness for CML patients for whom previous TKIs have failed. Some background Targeted...
Read MoreBlinatumomab: A new monoclonal antibody therapy as a treatment option for relapsed B-cell ALL
In a nutshell This study examined remission rates with blinatumomab (Blincyto) treatment in patients with relapsed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Researchers concluded that blinatumomab can achieve complete remission in patients with unfavorable ALL. However, this was an early-phase trial and more studies are needed. Some background...
Read MoreStem cell transplantation in children with AML not responding to other treatments
In a nutshell This study examined stem cell transplantation (SCT) in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who are not responding to other treatments. This study concluded that SCT was an effective treatment in many patients, but certain risk factors were associated with worse outcomes. Some background Between 5% and 23% of childhood AML...
Read MoreThe effectiveness of methylprednisolone and rituximab treatment for advanced stage CLL
In a nutshell This study looked at the effectiveness and safety of high dose steroid treatment with methylprednisolone (Medrol) combined with rituximab (Rituxan) for late stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The authors concluded this combination of treatments is more effective than methylprednisolone treatment alone, but that there are serious...
Read MoreComparing pre-stem cell transplantation chemotherapy: myeloblative vs reduced-intensity conditioning therapy
In a nutshell The authors compared two different intensities of chemotherapy regimens for use before allogenic stem cell transplantation. The authors suggested that the two treatments had similar patient outcomes, with more intense therapy having slightly better outcomes. Some background Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is considered a curable disease....
Read MoreRisk factors predicting outcomes among primary refractory disease patients
In a nutshell This study determined whether certain risk factors predicted outcomes in primary refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The authors concluded that risk factors such as stage IV disease and cancer activity seen on imaging predicted worse overall outcomes. Some background Refractory disease Hodgkin lymphoma patients are those who are...
Read MoreThe effects of brentuximab vedotin on quality of life
In a nutshell This trial examined the quality-of-life (QOL) impact of an antibody therapy among patients who had already undergone standard treatment for relapsed- or refractory disease. The authors concluded that the treatment modestly decreased QOL during certain time periods only. Some background Hodgkin Lymphoma is generally highly...
Read MoreReducing time between salvage chemotherapy cycles in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
In a nutshell This study determined whether a faster course of salvage chemotherapy reduced tumor volume in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The authors concluded that shorter intervals between SC cycles was safe and effective. Some background Hodgkin lymphoma is considered to be a highly curable form of...
Read MoreCombined chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer
In a nutshell This study examined the effects of a combination of two treatments, low-dose capecitabine (Xeloda) and docetaxel (Taxotere), versus docetaxel alone in patients with metastatic, HER2-negative breast cancer. The study concluded that combination treatment improved time to disease progression. Some background...
Read MoreRadiation therapy after stem-cell transplantation is safe and effective for relapsed- or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
In a nutshell This study assessed whether patients with relapsed- or refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma should be treated with radiation therapy. The authors concluded that radiation therapy was safe and prevented the return of the disease in certain patients. Some background Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system. It is a...
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