American Society of Hematology, Dec. 7 to 10
The annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology was held from Dec. 7 to 10 in San Diego and attracted participants from around the world, including hematology specialists as well as clinical practitioners and other health care professionals. The conference featured presentations focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems.
In one study, Kristin A. Shimano, M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital, and colleagues found that for pediatric patients with newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) within three months of diagnosis, eltrombopag leads to a more durable platelet response during weeks six 6 to 12 of treatment compared with standard treatments.
The authors evaluated the use of eltrombopag (a thrombopoietin receptor agonist approved for persistent or chronic ITP) during the new-diagnosis phase and compared the responses between patients treated with eltrombopag and standard therapies (intravenous immunoglobulin, prednisone, and anti-D globulin).
The researchers found that compared with those treated with standard therapies, a greater proportion of patients treated with eltrombopag had a platelet count of more than 50,000 during weeks 6 through 12 of the study without requiring a rescue therapy.
"This has a huge potential to change our approach to the management of newly diagnosed pediatric ITP," Shimano said. "For patients with moderate bleeding or significant impact on quality of life due to their ITP, eltrombopag may be a good option to get the platelets to a more hemostatic level during the time that they have active ITP."
Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Novartis, which manufactures eltrombopag and funded the study.
In another study, Rushad Patell, M.D., of Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues found that the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists leads to a significant reduction in the risk for blood clots among patients with type 2 diabetes.
The authors compared patients who newly started a GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes to patients being prescribed another antidiabetic medication to assess rates of blood clots at one year.
The researchers observed a 20 percent reduction in venous thromboembolism rates at 12 months. This benefit was seen across patients with different body mass index at the time of starting the study and included a breakdown for the two different types of blood clots (pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis) when evaluated individually.
"This was the first time this medication has been shown to impact venous thromboembolism to our knowledge," Patell said. "If these results are confirmed, they suggest that the use of these medications can have benefits beyond what has already been shown and can now include a reduction of blood clots."
Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Jenny Paredes, Ph.D., of the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, and colleagues found that increasing dietary fiber intake is beneficial for the intestinal microbiome of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) patients and could lead to an increase in overall survival and a reduction in acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
The authors assessed a preclinical mouse model of GVHD with defined diet fiber concentrations and also analyzed the dietary patterns of allo-HCT patients.
The investigators found that dietary fiber intake in allo-HCT patients (days −7 to −30) positively correlated with higher overall survival, lower acute GVHD cumulative incidence, and lower gastrointestinal-GVHD cumulative incidence (landmark analysis to 24 months). In addition, fiber consumption positively correlated with microbial alpha-diversity, relative abundance of butyrate producers, and production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
In the murine model of GVHD post allo-HCT, the researchers determined that a diet rich in fiber (12 percent cellulose) increased survival to GVHD, led to a higher relative abundance of butyrate producers, and modulated gene expression associated with higher epithelial homeostasis and lower T-cell mediated inflammation (single cell sequencing).
"Although follow-up studies on the strategies that can be used to increase dietary fiber in allo-HCT patients are in course, we would like to recommend reevaluating the nutritional plans and meals for allo-HCT patients and including multiple options of high fiber foods for every meal and beverage," Paredes said. "Increasing fiber consumption by 10 to 20 grams per day, based on our results, would lead to a more diverse microbiome, an increase in SCFA production, and consequently, to better overall survival (the Recommended Dietary Allowance for dietary fiber by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is 25 to 30 grams per day)."
One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
ASH: Blinatumomab + Chemo Aids Survival in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with newly diagnosed, standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with an average or high risk for relapse, adding blinatumomab to combination chemotherapy is associated with improved disease-free survival, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 7 to 10 in San Diego.
ASH: Reduced-Dose Anticoagulants Not Noninferior for Recurrent VTE
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Noninferiority of reduced- versus full-dose anticoagulants cannot be proven in patients with venous thromboembolism who need extended anticoagulation, according to a study to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 7 to 10 in San Diego.
ASH: Auto-HCT Not Beneficial for Mantle Cell Lymphoma With Undetectable Residual Disease
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Autologous hematopoietic cell transplant is not beneficial for patients with mantle cell lymphoma in first complete remission with undetectable minimal residual disease, according to a study to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 7 to 10 in San Diego.
ASH: Complications Common With Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation in Sickle Cell Anemia
THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Many individuals with sickle cell anemia undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with oocyte cryopreservation have complications, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, to be held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
ASH: GLP-1 RA Use Tied to Lower Rate of Venous Thromboembolism in Diabetes
THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist use is associated with a lower risk for venous thromboembolism, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, to be held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
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ASH: Blinatumomab + Chemo Aids Survival in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
For patients with newly diagnosed, standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with an average or high risk for relapse, adding blinatumomab to combination chemotherapy is associated with improved disease-free survival, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 7 to 10 in San Diego.
Sumit Gupta, Ph.D., from the University of Toronto, and colleagues conducted a phase 3 trial involving children with newly diagnosed standard-risk B-cell ALL who had an average or high risk for relapse. A total of 1,440 patients were randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus blinatumomab; the results from the first interim efficacy analysis, which included 722 and 718 patients, respectively, were reviewed.
The researchers found that the estimated three-year disease-free survival was 96.0 ± 1.2 percent with blinatumomab and chemotherapy and 87.9 ± 2.1 percent with chemotherapy alone at a median follow-up of 2.5 years (difference in restricted mean survival time, 72 days). Among patients with an average relapse risk, the estimated three-year disease-free survival was 97.5 ± 1.3 percent with blinatumomab and chemotherapy and 90.2 ± 2.3 percent with chemotherapy alone; the corresponding values were 94.1 ± 2.5 percent and 84.8 ± 3.8 percent, respectively, among those with a high relapse risk.
"The addition of blinatumomab to standard chemotherapy resulted in a significant improvement in disease-free survival," the authors write. "This improvement was consistent across subgroups defined according to patient-related or disease-related characteristics."
Several authors disclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen, which manufactures blinatumomab and contributed funding for the study.
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ASH: Reduced-Dose Anticoagulants Not Noninferior for Recurrent VTE
Noninferiority of reduced- versus full-dose anticoagulants cannot be proven in patients with venous thromboembolism who need extended anticoagulation, according to a study to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 7 to 10 in San Diego.
Francis Couturaud, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Brest in France, and colleagues conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial comparing extended anticoagulation with reduced-dose versus full-dose direct oral anticoagulants in patients with venous thromboembolism at high risk for recurrence, who were initially treated for six to 24 months.
The researchers found that recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in 19 of 1,383 patients in the reduced-dose group versus 15 of 1,385 in the full-dose group during the 36-month median follow-up (five-year cumulative incidence, 2.2 versus 1.8 percent; hazard ratio, 1.32; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.67 to 2.60; P = 0.23 for noninferiority). Clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 96 patients in the reduced-dose group and 154 in the full-dose group (five-year cumulative incidence, 9.9 versus 15.2 percent). The composite outcome of recurrent venous thromboembolism and clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 113 and 166 patients in the reduced- and full-dose groups, respectively (five-year cumulative incidence, 11.8 versus 16.5 percent). All-cause death occurred in 4.3 and 6.1 percent of patients in the reduced- and full-dose groups, respectively.
"The noninferiority of a reduced-dose versus a full-dose of direct anticoagulants to prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism could not be proven," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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ASH: Auto-HCT Not Beneficial for Mantle Cell Lymphoma With Undetectable Residual Disease
Autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (auto-HCT) is not beneficial for patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in first complete remission (CR) with undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD), according to a study to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 7 to 10 in San Diego.
Timothy S. Fenske, M.D., from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and colleagues conducted a four-arm trial involving patients with MCL between 18 and 70 years of age and in first remission. Patients in CR with uMRD at 1 in 10-6 sensitivity (uMRD6) were randomly assigned to arm A (auto-HCT + three years of maintenance rituximab [MR]) or arm B (three years of MR alone). Patients with MRD-positive CR or MRD-indeterminate CR both received auto-HCT + three years of MR (arms C and D, respectively). The primary end point was to compare survival in arms A and B.
From August 2017 to July 2024, 257, 259, 49, and 85 patients were enrolled in arms A, B, C, and D, respectively. The researchers found that the estimated overall survival hazard ratios for arms A and B in all randomized and treated-as-assigned patients (516 and 375, respectively) were 1.11 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.71 to 1.74; P = 0.66) and 1.00 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.58 to 1.74; P = 0.99), and crossed the boundary for futility. Three-year overall survival was 82.1 and 82.7 percent, respectively, for arms A and B in all randomly assigned patients, and 86.2 and 84.8 percent, respectively, in those treated as assigned.
"In this interim analysis, in the era of highly effective induction and maintenance regimens, MCL patients in first CR with uMRD6 did not benefit from consolidative auto-HCT," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
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ASH: GLP-1 RA Use Tied to Lower Rate of Venous Thromboembolism in Diabetes
For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) use is associated with a lower risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a study scheduled for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, to be held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
Cho Han Chiang, M.D., from Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and colleagues examined whether GLP-1 RA use would reduce the risk for VTE among patients with T2DM in a retrospective, propensity score-matched multicenter database analysis. Patients who received GLP-1 RAs were compared to those who received dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors; after propensity score matching, the final analysis included two cohorts of 168,428 patients each.
The researchers found that the incidence of VTE was 11.0 versus 12.9 events per 1,000 patient-years in the GLP-1 RA and DPP-4 inhibitor cohorts, respectively, with an 18 percent lower risk for VTE for those receiving GLP-1 RAs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82). Compared with those on DPP-4 inhibitors, patients receiving GLP-1 RAs had a lower risk for pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (HRs, 0.78 and 0.85, respectively). In a subgroup analysis, the differences in VTE rates were similar for patients with and without obesity (HRs, 0.80 and 0.82, respectively).
"These results support the hypothesis that use of GLP-1 RA can lead to a reduction in VTE risk," the authors write. "Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms and causality underlying the association between GLP-1 RA use and reduction of VTE risk, and whether these findings extend to patients using GLP-1 RA for weight control without T2DM."
Two authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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ASH: Complications Common With Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation in Sickle Cell Anemia
Many individuals with sickle cell anemia undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with oocyte cryopreservation (OC) have complications, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, to be held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
Marti Goldenberg, D.O., from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and colleagues described clinical factors associated with oocyte recovery and COH complications in sickle cell anemia in a five-center retrospective study. Participants had sickle cell disease and an attempt at OC; all 46 participants had sickle cell anemia.
The researchers found that 44 of the participants underwent fertility preservation before curative therapy; one had diminished ovarian reserve, and one had in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing. Insurance was private, public, self-pay, or research protocol (15, nine, six, or 15, respectively). The median number of acute care visits for pain was four in the year before OC. Overall, there were 55 COH cycles, which were performed in ambulatory or operating room settings (33 and 18, respectively). Thirty-six individuals underwent one COH cycle. Due to poor ovarian response, three cycles were canceled. Six participants required multiple cycles for low oocyte yield or cycle cancellation (five and one, respectively). Complications occurred in 25 cycles; 11 individuals had more than one complication. There was an association for any OC complication with three or more vasculo-occlusive episodes (VOE) in the year prior to COH.
"Complications were common and ≥3 VOE in the year before COH predicted pain following COH, underscoring the need for individualized pain plans before COH," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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Protracted Radiation Exposure Linked to Hematologic Cancer Mortality
Protracted low-dose exposure to ionizing radiation among radiation-monitored workers is associated with mortality due to some hematologic malignancies, according to a study published online in the October issue of The Lancet Hematology.
Klervi Leuraud, Ph.D., from the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, and colleagues examined the associations between radiation dose and mortality due to hematologic malignancies in a cohort of 309,932 radiation-monitored workers employed for at least one year by nuclear facilities in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The researchers found that a linear model described the association between cumulative dose to red bone marrow, lagged two years, and leukemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia; excess relative rate per Gy, 2.68), which was not modified by neutron exposure, internal contamination monitoring status, or period of hire. For chronic myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes alone or combined with acute myeloid leukemia, positive associations were also seen (excess relative rates per Gy, 9.57, 3.19, and 1.55, respectively). For acute lymphoblastic leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, no significant association was seen. There was a positive association between radiation dose and multiple myeloma (excess relative rate per Gy, 1.62); minimal evidence of association was seen between radiation dose and non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma mortality.
"Studies of people exposed to low doses of radiation add to our understanding of radiation risks at the exposure levels of contemporary concern, and thus can inform radiation protection efforts," the authors write.
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Mentorship Program in Classical Hematology Facilitates Career Development
A mentorship pilot program in classical hematology can facilitate career development and improve retention in the field, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in Blood Advances.
Noting that there is a lack of mentorship opportunities within classical hematology versus medical oncology, Zoya Qureshy, M.D., from the University of California San Diego in La Jolla, and colleagues developed a year-long external mentorship program implemented through the American Society of Hematology Medical Educators Institute. Thirty-five hematology/oncology fellows interested in classical hematology were paired in a meticulous process with 34 academically productive faculty mentors from different institutions across North America. Pairs were expected to meet once a month virtually and could participate in a scholarly project. The program was assessed using mentee and mentor surveys, a mentee interview, and a mentee focus group.
The researchers found that 33 of the pairs completed the program (94.2 percent). Of the mentee respondents, 63 percent worked on a scholarly project with their mentor, and several mentees received publications, grants, and awards. Perception by the mentee that their mentor was a good match was associated with a perceived positive impact on confidence, career development, and professional identity. After fellowship, 23 mentees (66 percent) accepted classical hematology faculty positions. All mentors believed that the program would improve retention in classical hematology.
"This study shows that effective, deliberate mentorship is vital for career advancement, especially for trainees," Qureshy said in a statement. "Virtual communication can foster strong external mentorships and relationships for those who might not have as much institutional, local mentorship readily available."
Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
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Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Acute Leukemia Are Heterogeneous
Ophthalmologic manifestations of acute leukemia are heterogeneous and detectable at initial presentation or relapse, according to a study published online July 10 in the Annals of Hematology.
Dina N. Laimon, M.D., from Mansoura University in Egypt, and colleagues examined the incidence of different ophthalmological manifestations in newly diagnosed acute leukemia in a cross-sectional study involving 222 newly diagnosed acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients (144 and 78, respectively) who presented between January 2022 and February 2023. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation.
The researchers found that ophthalmic manifestations were detected in 43.2 percent of patients. Of these, 1.8 percent had poor visual acuity. The most common ocular manifestations were retinal hemorrhage and Roth spots (19.8 and 17.1 percent, respectively). Other ophthalmological manifestations included orbital involvement, ocular motility issues, subconjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctival chemosis, and lid swelling (3.2, 1.4, 5.9, 0.9, and 4.1 percent, respectively). Compared with acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, acute myeloid leukemia patients had a significantly higher frequency of ocular affection, retinal hemorrhages, and Roth spots. A significant association was seen for retinal hemorrhage with anemia.
"Cooperation between ophthalmologists and hemato-oncologists is crucial for recognizing ocular involvement and disease management," the authors write. "We need further evaluation of a larger cohort of acute leukemia patients especially for survival analysis to set the record for the prognostic value of ocular manifestations in such neoplasms."
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Glofitamab + GemOx Superior to Rituximab + GemOx for Lymphoma
Glofitamab (Glofit) plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx) is superior to rituximab (R)-GemOx for relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to a study presented at the annual hybrid congress of the European Hematology Association, held from June 13 to 16 in Madrid.
Jeremy Abramson, M.D., from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston, and colleagues examined the efficacy and safety of Glofit-GemOx versus R-GemOx in patients with R/R DLBCL after one or more prior lines of therapy. A total of 274 patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive Glofit-GemOx or R-GemOx (183 and 91 individuals, respectively).
The researchers observed a significant overall survival benefit with Glofit-GemOx versus R-GemOx at primary analysis (cutoff date, March 29, 2023). Median overall survival was not reached for Glofit-GemOx versus nine months for R-GemOx at a median follow-up of 11.3 months. Independent review committee-assessed progression-free survival and complete remission rate demonstrated a significant benefit for Glofit-GemOx. Glofit-GemOx continued to demonstrate superior median overall survival, median progression-free survival, and complete remission rates at follow-up analysis conducted once all patients had completed therapy (cutoff date, Feb. 16, 2024; median follow-up, 20.7 months) versus R-GemOx. Adverse event rates were higher with Glofit-Gemox than R-GemOx, including grade 3 to 4 and grade 5 adverse events and serious adverse events; however, the rates were similar after adjustment for exposure differences.
"Glofitamab in combination with GemOx showed clinically significant improvement in overall survival, as well as key secondary end points, and the benefits were reinforced with an additional 11 months of follow-up," Abramson said in a statement.
The study was funded by Genentech, the manufacturer of glofitamab.
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Posttransplant Cyclophosphamide GVHD Prophylaxis Beneficial in Leukemia
For patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation, posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) prophylaxis yields comparable relapse incidence (RI) and significantly lower incidence of GVHD than conventional prophylaxis, according to a study published online June 10 in the American Journal of Hematology.
Arnon Nagler, M.D., from the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, Israel, and colleagues compared RI post-unrelated allogeneic stem cell transplantation with PTCy versus conventional GVHD prophylaxis among 7,049 AML patients in remission (707 with PTCy; 6,342 with No PTCy).
The researchers found that RI did not differ significantly in the PTCy versus the no PTCy group. The PTCy group had significantly lower acute GVHD grades II to IV and III to IV versus the No PTCy group (hazard ratios, 0.74 and 0.56, respectively), and total and extensive chronic GVHD (hazard ratios, 0.5 and 0.31, respectively). Compared with the No PTCy group, the PTCy group had significantly lower nonrelapse mortality (hazard ratio, 0.67). Significantly higher GVHD-free, relapse-free survival was seen in the PTCy versus the No PTCy group (hazard ratio, 0.69). The groups did not differ in terms of leukemia-free survival or overall survival.
"Clinically, these results are of importance, and although not direct proof, they may indicate that PTCy does not jeopardize the graft-versus-leukemia effect in the unrelated donor setting," the authors write.
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Penicillin Allergy Can Be Delabeled by Nonallergy Providers
TUESDAY, April 9, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Direct oral penicillin challenges (DPCs) can be delivered to patients with penicillin allergy labels (PALs) by nonallergy health care professionals (HCPs), according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Infection.
Mamidipudi Thirumala Krishna, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., from the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom, and colleagues examined the feasibility of nonallergy HCPs delivering direct oral DPCs for penicillin allergy delabeling in a prospective observational study conducted in three hospitals across three settings (acute medical, presurgical, and hematology-oncology). After screening, patients with a PAL were stratified as low risk/high risk, and those classified as low risk underwent a DPC.
Overall, 1,054 of the 2,257 PALs who were screened were eligible. A total of 270 participants consented, and 259 were risk-stratified (155 low risk; 104 high risk). The researchers found that 126 low-risk patients underwent DPC; 96.8 percent were delabeled with no serious allergic reactions. In acute and elective settings, the conversion rate from screening to consent was 12 and 17.9 percent, respectively, with odds ratios for consent of 3.42 and 5.53 in hematology-oncology and presurgical settings, respectively. Difficulty in reaching patients, clinical instability/medical reasons, lacking capacity to consent, and psychological factors were common reasons for failure to progress in the study.
"Our findings suggest a multipronged approach is needed in the U.K. National Health Service to maximize uptake of DPC," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.
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American Society of Hematology, Dec. 9 to 12
The annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology was held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego and attracted participants from around the world, including hematology specialists as well as clinical practitioners and other health care professionals. The conference featured presentations focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems.
In one study, Julie Kanter, M.D., of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and colleagues found that treatment of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) with lovotibeglogene autotemcel (lovo-cel) results in sustained antisickling hemoglobin production and nearly complete resolution of vaso-occlusive events and severe vaso-occlusive events up to 18 months following treatment.
The authors reported on efficacy and safety from the phase 1/2 HGB-206 and phase 3 HGB-210 studies of lovo-cel. Data were included from adult and pediatric (age 12 to <18 years) patients in the HGB-210 study and health-related quality-of-life data from the HGB-206 study. The researchers found that one-time treatment with lovo-cel resulted in near-complete resolution of acute pain events (vaso-occlusive crises) for all patients, with complete resolution of moderate and severe crises in 88 and 94 percent of patients, respectively. In addition, 100 percent of adolescent patients demonstrated complete resolution of all vaso-occlusive crises. A majority of patients were free of acute pain events through last follow-up (median, 35.5 months). The safety profile of the lovo-cel treatment regimen was consistent with underlying SCD and known effects of myeloablative conditioning.
"Lovo-cel uses a gene that makes hemoglobin A (similar to the adult HbA that is naturally occurring) and is highly effective and durable at improving hemoglobin, almost completely resolving hemolysis and reducing patient reported pain intensity and interference," Kanter said. "We will certainly be discussing this therapy with people with frequent acute pain events who are interested in pursuing a transformative treatment and also pursuing payment options."
Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Bluebird Bio, which manufactures lovo-cel.
In another study, Jatinder Lamba, Ph.D., of the University of Florida in Gainesville, and colleagues found that low ACS10 (10-SNP Ara-C_SNP) scores are more prevalent in Black patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are associated with inferior outcomes among patients treated with standard (low-dose cytarabine) induction therapy.
The authors compared results from an investigation of ACS10 differences between Black and White patients with AML across three treatment arms. The researchers observed a greater abundance of low ACS10 scores in Black patients (70 percent) compared with White patients (30 percent). They also found a low ACS10 score was associated with poor outcomes in patients treated on a standard dose of cytarabine, with the use of an intensified regimen improving outcomes in the groups with low ACS10 scores.
"The negative impact of low ACS10 score was mitigated by intensification of cytarabine during induction therapy, suggesting that Black and White patients with low ACS10 scores may benefit from this intervention," Lamba said. "Using genotype-guided intensification regimens can help overcome the negative impact of low ACS10 score by intensification of cytarabine during induction therapy. This can further mitigate racial differences in outcomes given that Black patients have high abundance of low ACS10 scores."
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
ASH: Female Researchers Receive Only One-Third of NIH R01 Grants
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- From 2012 to 2022, female researchers were awarded only one-third of National Institutes of Health Research Project Grants, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
ASH: Ibrutinib-Venetoclax Beneficial for Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma, ibrutinib combined with venetoclax provides a progression-free survival benefit, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
ASH: MRD-Directed Ibrutinib-Venetoclax Treatment Beneficial in Leukemia
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, measurable residual disease-directed ibrutinib-venetoclax treatment improves progression-free and overall survival, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
ASH: Daratumumab Beneficial for Patients With Multiple Myeloma
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For transplantation-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, the addition of subcutaneous daratumumab combined with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone induction and consolidation therapy and with lenalidomide maintenance therapy improves progression-free survival. These findings were published online Dec. 12 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
ASH: Axi-Cel CAR T-Cell Treatment Effective in High-Risk Lymphoma Patients
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, including those with comorbidities, the autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy axicabtagene ciloleucel yields five-year progression-free survival of 28.5 percent and overall survival of 40.3 percent, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in San Diego.
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Moncton doctors oppose New Brunswick lab service changes
Doctors at a hospital in Moncton are speaking out against the provincial government's planned changes to laboratory services they say could affect patient care. The multi-phase plan would result in some tests being shipped to other hospitals in the city or other parts of the province, which doctors say could increase the time it takes to get results.
About 280 medical and dental staff of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre are opposed to changes expected to be implemented over the next several years, several physicians said at a news conference Tuesday.Dr. Luc Cormier, a cardiologist at the Dumont, said they want the changes halted and to instead focus on improving existing labs. "I think we need to maintain that plan rather than doing a very, very drastic change to a whole lab organization for our province in our hospitals and in the long run that will impact patient care," Cormier told reporters.
The plan, according to an internal document obtained earlier this month by CBC News, shows phase one starting this fall. It involves shipping all outpatient blood samples to Fredericton and Bathurst for testing. A second phase would see the expansion of the microbiology lab at the Dumont, which would become the provincial public health laboratory handling routine microbiology testing. This phase would also involve transferring hematology and chemistry samples from the Dumont to the Moncton Hospital for testing, according to a news release from the doctors. The Dumont would only retain what the news release describes as a "'stat lab' for major emergencies." A third phase, which the news release says could start in 2026, could consist of centralizing all pathology-related services at the Moncton Hospital and Saint John Regional Hospital. The doctors said this would affect tests for cancer patients at the Dumont, which has a major oncology centre.The doctors rejected suggestions the changes would have no impact on patient care...Read more
Do you agree with these physicians' point of view?
Make innovation your brand: Disruption strategies for young physicians
Medicine is a dynamic profession and physicians are at the forefront of health care innovation, consistently pushing boundaries of patient care and driving both industry and practice patterns forward. Despite being frontline caregivers and end users of medical technology, many physicians have a common misconception that innovation only takes place in the research lab or industry sponsored design studio with key opinion leader focus groups. The truth is, innovation in health care, like in other professions, can come from anywhere, and the young minds of newly minted physicians are especially primed for seeing ideas due to their uncanny ability to see the world differently.
As physicians progress through residency, fellowship and, ultimately, a high-powered clinical career, the success that they experience can sometimes be a hindrance to innovative ideas. Shawn Kanungo, a millennial innovation expert and author of The Bold Ones: Innovate and Disrupt to Become Truly Indispensable, describes how past successes amongst professionals in any industry frequently leads to an overreliance on previous practice patterns, which often leads to complacency in innovation. As professionals progress in their career, past successes define their identity, further hindering their innovative spirit. Understanding this concept may help you maintain a rookie mindset to come up with fresh ideas that usually are the most groundbreaking.
Innovation is not easy, but with determination, creativity and hard work, physicians can make a real impact on the industry. As the late Steve Jobs once said, “Life can be much broader, once you discover one simple fact, and that is that everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you.” Physicians, particularly younger ones, are especially primed to see innovative ideas sooner than others due to their rookie mindset and position at the forefront of health care innovation. Developing a disruption mindset and understanding the mechanics of execution can empower young physicians to bring about transformative change in the 21st century...Read more
Did your past successes lead to complacency in innovation?
