scholarly journals New and emerging therapies for acute myeloid leukaemia

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 1088-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian R Davis ◽  
David J Benjamin ◽  
Brian A Jonas

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has remained relatively unchanged for the past 3–4 decades with generally poor outcomes, especially in elderly populations unfit for intensive therapy. Recent advancements, however, have identified several cytogenetic and molecular markers that have not only improved prognostication but have also led to the development of several new targeted therapies for specific subpopulations. In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration approved four new treatments with indications for fms like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-mutated AML (midostaurin), newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory CD33+AML (gemtuzumab ozogamicin), newly diagnosed therapy-related AML or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (CPX-351) and relapsed/refractory AML with an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)2 mutation (enasidenib). These newly approved therapies have demonstrated improved response in their target populations in several pivotal clinical trials with some also demonstrating improved overall survival. Additional novel therapies in development for AML include agents that target B cell lymphoma 2, FLT3, IDH1, the ubiquitination pathway, as well as cell therapy using engineered T cells with chimeric antigen receptors. This review provides a summary of the four newly approved therapies for AML, as well as several promising therapies currently in development.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (35) ◽  
pp. 4424-4430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Amadori ◽  
Stefan Suciu ◽  
Roberto Stasi ◽  
Helmut R. Salih ◽  
Dominik Selleslag ◽  
...  

Purpose This randomized trial evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of sequential gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) and standard chemotherapy in older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients and Methods Patients (n = 472) age 61 to 75 years were randomly assigned to induction chemotherapy with mitoxantrone, cytarabine, and etoposide preceded, or not, by a course of GO (6 mg/m2 on days 1 and 15). In remission, patients received two consolidation courses with or without GO (3 mg/m2 on day 0). The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Results The overall response rate was comparable between the two arms (GO, 45%; no GO, 49%), but induction and 60-day mortality rates were higher in the GO arm (17% v 12% and 22% v 18%, respectively). With median follow-up of 5.2 years, median OS was 7.1 months in the GO arm and 10 months in the no-GO arm (hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.45; P = .07). Other survival end points were similar in both arms. Grade 3 to 4 hematologic and liver toxicities were greater in the GO arm. Treatment with GO provided no benefit in any prognostic subgroup, with the possible exception of patients age < 70 years with secondary AML, but outcomes were significantly worse in the oldest age subgroup because of a higher risk of early mortality. Conclusion As used in this trial, the sequential combination of GO and standard chemotherapy provides no benefit for older patients with AML and is too toxic for those age ≥ 70 years.


Hematology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (1) ◽  
pp. 548-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Richard-Carpentier ◽  
Courtney D. DiNardo

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy characterized by recurrent genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic abnormalities. As a result of our increasing knowledge of the underlying biology of AML leading to rational drug development, several new targeted agents have been recently added to our therapeutic arsenal. The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) or hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is safe and effective in older patients with newly diagnosed AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Glasdegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, may be used in combination with LDAC for the same indication and improves survival compared with LDAC alone. In newly diagnosed, fit, older patients with therapy-related AML or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes, the liposome-encapsulated combination of daunorubicin and cytarabine (CPX-351) has shown superiority over the 7 + 3 regimen. The presence of an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation can be effectively targeted by ivosidenib or enasidenib, respectively. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin improves event-free survival in CD33+ patients with favorable or intermediate-risk cytogenetics. With new targeted agents available, comprehensive genomic characterization of AML at diagnosis and relapse is increasingly necessary to select optimal treatment. Herein, we review the new single-agent and combination biologics (omitting FLT3 inhibitors, which are discussed separately) and provide recommendations on how to best use and manage patients on these regimens in clinical practice.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (12) ◽  
pp. 4343-4349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elihu H. Estey ◽  
Peter F. Thall ◽  
Francis J. Giles ◽  
Xue-Mei Wang ◽  
Jorge E. Cortes ◽  
...  

We investigated treatment with gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) in 51 patients aged 65 years or older with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), refectory anemia (RA) with excess of blasts in transformation, or RA with excess blasts. GO was given in doses of 9 mg/m2 of body-surface area on days 1 and 8 or, therapeutically equivalently, on days 1 and 15, with or without interleukin 11 (IL-11; 15 μg/kg per day on days 3 to 28), with assignment to IL-11 treatment made randomly. Complete remission (CR) rates were 2 of 26 (8%) for GO without IL-11 and 9 of 25 (36%) for GO with IL-11. Regression analyses indicated that IL-11 was independently predictive of CR but not survival. We compared GO with or without IL-11 with idarubicin plus cytosine arabinoside (IA), as previously administered, in similar patients. The CR rate with IA was 15 of 31 (48%), and survival was superior with IA compared with GO with or without IL-11 (P = .03). Besides accounting for possible covariate effects on outcome, we also accounted for possible trial effects (TEs) arising because IA and GO with or without IL-11 were not arms of a randomized trial. Bayesian posterior probabilities that GO with or without IL-11 produced longer survival than IA, after accounting for covariates and TEs, were less than 0.01 in patients with abnormal cytogenetic findings (AC) and less than 0.15 in patients with normal cytogenetic findings (NC). Regarding CR, the analogous probabilities were less than 0.02 for GO without IL-11 (all cytogenetic groups), and for GO with IL-11, less than 0.25 for AC groups and about 0.50 for NC groups. TEs 2 to 5 times the magnitude of those previously observed would be needed to conclude that survival with GO with or without IL-11 is likely longer than with IA. Thus, there is little evidence to suggest that GO with or without IL-11 should be used instead of IA in older patients with newly diagnosed AML or myelodysplastic syndrome.


Hematology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstanze Döhner ◽  
Peter Paschka

Abstract In recent years, research in molecular genetics has been instrumental in deciphering the molecular heterogeneity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in particular the subset of patients with “intermediate-risk” cytogenetics. However, at present, only the markers NPM1, CEBPA, and FLT3 have entered clinical practice. Treatment of intermediate-risk AML patients eligible for intensive therapy has not changed substantially. The “3 + 7” induction therapy still represents the standard of care. The addition of the immunoconjugate gemtuzumab ozogamicin to therapy has been shown to improve outcome; however, the drug is not approved for this use. A common standard for postremission therapy is the administration of repeated cycles of intermediate- to high-dose cytarabine. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation may offer a survival benefit for many patients with intermediate-risk AML. Patients are best selected based on the genetic profile of the leukemia cells and the risk associated with the transplantation itself. A myriad of novel agents targeting mutant leukemia drivers or deregulated pathways are in clinical development. In the past, many novel compounds have not met expectations; nonetheless, with the rapid developments in comprehensive molecular profiling and new drug design, there is the prospect of personalizing therapy and improving patient outcome.


Blood ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (22) ◽  
pp. 2373-2376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick R. Appelbaum ◽  
Irwin D. Bernstein

Abstract On 1 September 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed CD33+ acute myeloid leukemia and for patients aged ≥2 years with CD33+ acute myeloid leukemia who have experienced a relapse or who have not responded to initial treatment. This signals a new chapter in the long and unusual story of GO, which was the first antibody–drug conjugate approved for human use by the FDA.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 121 (24) ◽  
pp. 4838-4841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob M. Rowe ◽  
Bob Löwenberg

Abstract Despite living in an era of unprecedented progress in the understanding of the genetic and molecular biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), this has not translated into significant advances in therapy. Never before have so many potential targets been studied. Yet most have not advanced beyond the phase 1 and, occasionally, phase 2 studies. The few ongoing phase 3 studies seem unlikely to have more than a marginal benefit, if at all. Thus, it is not surprising that in past few decades almost no new drugs for AML have received regulatory approval. In 2000, gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration based on promising phase 2 data in relapsed older adults with AML. GO held promise as a new agent that also could be efficacious in newly diagnosed AML with acceptable toxicity. Several phase 3 studies were designed to test GO in this setting. The results of a randomized study by the Southwest Oncology Group led in 2010 to the voluntary withdrawal of this agent when improved efficacy could not be demonstrated and toxicity appeared excessive. Since then, 4 randomized studies have been completed that, in aggregate, strongly support the efficacy of this agent in newly diagnosed AML with acceptable toxicity. There is a very plausible explanation for this discrepancy, making a compelling case for reapproval of GO in AML.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (30) ◽  
pp. 3199-3213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Gbadamosi ◽  
Soheil Meshinchi ◽  
Jatinder K Lamba

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