Experts highlight the newest, most compelling hematology abstracts
The American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) annual meeting is a great opportunity to discover and discuss the latest developments in the treatment of blood disorders and malignancies. The staff of Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center’s Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology has chosen these abstracts presented at ASH 2021 as the most compelling, clinically relevant and potentially practice-changing that included research from our clinical team.
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This study was the first large clinical trial to demonstrate the superiority of any treatment regimen to R-CHOP for patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
All key primary and secondary endpoints were met in this Phase 3 study. Specifically, once-monthly 80 mg SC fitusiran prophylaxis demonstrated a significant reduction in ABR, AsBR and AJBR (all ~90%) in people with severe hemophilia A or B without inhibitors compared with OD treatment. This reduction in bleeding was associated with a meaningful improvement in HRQoL. Reported TESAEs were generally consistent with the previously identified risks of fitusiran. With the aim of further enhancing the benefit-risk profile of fitusiran, a revised regimen with reduced dose and frequency is being evaluated in ongoing clinical studies.
These two papers described head-to-head trials of CAR T-cell therapy vs. second-line chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with relapsed DLBCL. Both trials met their primary endpoints and will likely lead to a significant increase in the use of anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy rather than chemotherapy for patients with high-risk relapsed DLBCL.
Oral rilzabrutinib 400 mg twice daily was shown to be well-tolerated and had durable, clinically significant platelet responses across subgroups and with extended treatment in patients with heavily pretreated immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
These two papers highlighted advances in the treatment of AL amyloidosis. One showed improvements in hematologic and organ responses when daratumumab was added to the backbone of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone for patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis. The second abstract described the potential for amyloid removal from organs by CAEL-101.
One example of high response rates seen using bispecific antibodies in treatment of relapsed myeloma.
Allogenic T-cell therapy for myeloma addresses many logistical challenges for CAR T-cell therapy. The UNIVERSAL myeloma trial using ALLO-715 CAR T cells has shown clinical efficacy with a response rate above 60%, high VGPR+ rate of 38.5%, and high MRD negativity in the latest cohort without requiring leukapheresis or bridging therapy.
In view of all treatment-related outcomes, the data presented in this abstract argues strongly in favor of the early, consistent use of caplacizumab in all patients with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
First-ever U.S. population-level retrospective analysis reveals many patients with systemic mastocytosis need faster intervention
Global R&D efforts expanding first-line and relapse therapy options for patients
A case study on the value of access to novel therapies through clinical trials
Multiple Cleveland Clinic sites to participate in National Cancer Institute trial comparing treatment regimens for newly diagnosed patients
Cleveland Clinic oncologists’ selected abstracts
On-demand stem cell mobilizer is an effective salvage strategy
Dispelling myths and sharing practical experiences
Research indicates strong rationale for expanding trial eligibility criteria