Our onsite coverage of the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting in New Orleans begins this weekend, bringing you timely insights on the latest research into the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of hematologic disorders.
To preview our coverage, enjoy this summary of just a few of the reports scheduled for presentation at the plenary session on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Early TP53 Mutations in Therapy-Related AML
New research suggests that heterozygous TP53 mutations, acquired as a function of normal aging, are selected for in the presence of cytotoxic therapy and result in therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome. The insights come from the research group that previously reported that there is no evidence that chemotherapy induces genome-wide DNA damage in therapy-related AML, based on their finding of similar total numbers of somatic single nucleotide variants and percentages of transversions in therapy-related and de novo AML.
Dr. Terrence Neal Wong of Washington University, St. Louis, and his colleagues will detail how hematologic stem cells that acquire heterozygous TP53 mutations as a function of normal aging may be selected for in the presence of cytotoxic therapy. Their findings provide a potential mechanism for the high incidence of TP53 mutations in therapy-related AML and myelodysplastic disorder. They speculate that early acquisition of TP53 mutations in the founding clone likely contribute to the cytogenetic abnormalities and poor response to chemotherapy in these disorders.
Final Stage 2 Results of the CLL11 Trial
Obinutuzumab, a CD20 antibody, in combination with chlorambucil, was associated with a higher complete response rate and longer progression-free survival as compared with rituximab and chlorambucil in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and comorbidities, based on results to be presented by Dr. Valentin Goede of the German CLL Study Group and the University Hospital Cologne, Germany.
After a median 19 month follow-up, the final stage 2 results of the CLL11 Trial found infusion-related reactions and neutropenia were more common with obinutuzumab and chlorambucil without an increase in infections. The researchers will present data to support their conclusion that the obinutuzumab and chlorambucil combination is superior to rituximab and chlorambucil.
The FIRST (Frontline investigation of lenalidomide + dexamethasone vs. standard thalidomide) Trial
The FIRST trial is a multicenter, open-label, phase III trial comparing the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide + dexamethasone vs. melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients ineligible for stem cell transplants.
Dr. Thierry Facon of Hôpital Claude Huriez, Lille, France, and his colleagues will present data indicating that continuous treatment with the all oral doublet lenalidomide + dexamethasone significantly improved the primary endpoint of progression-free survival, compared with the standard triplet melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide.