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MD Anderson Cancer Center
ORLANDO, Florida ― Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presented groundbreaking research at the 67th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. Highlights include advances in CAR T cell therapy, antibody treatments, targeted regimens, and the expanding impact of immunotherapy and precision medicine in improving patient outcomes.
All ASH Annual Meeting content from MD Anderson can be found at MDAnderson.org/ASH.
CAR T cell therapy shows promising Phase II trial results in multiple myeloma
Read the full story | Read Abstract 256
The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy anitocabtagene autoleucel (anito-cel) continued to show strong results in treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, according to new trial data. The findings were presented Dec. 6 by Krina Patel, M.D., associate professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma.
“These data are really encouraging for these patients because not only does anito-cel look to be highly effective, but the safety profile is very promising compared to the other therapies currently approved in this setting,” Patel said. “The durability of response also continues to look strong, even in this heavily pretreated population.”
New MD Anderson-developed antibody boosts immune response against blood cancers and solid cancers
Read the full story | Read Abstract 388
In a new preclinical study, an MD Anderson-developed antibody therapy called 77A showed an ability to overcome treatment resistance in blood cancers, such as myeloma and lymphoma, as well as solid tumors. The study was led by Jun Wei, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma, and principal investigator Robert Z. Orlowski, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma. Wei presented trial findings Dec 6.
“There is tremendous promise in the way 77A is capable of rewiring the immune system, enabling it to respond effectively against multiple cancers,” Wei said. “Our findings offer a new pathway to immunotherapy and patient treatment.”
Results show long-lasting benefits of CAR T cell therapy for hard-to-treat lymphoma
Read the full story| Read Abstract 467
New three-year follow-up results from the TRANSCEND FL trial show that patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma can achieve durable, multi-year remission with CAR T cell therapy, even after prior treatments have failed. Trial findings were presented Dec. 7 by principal investigator Sairah Ahmed, M.D., associate professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma.
“We are seeing unprecedented response rates and durable remissions in patients whose follicular lymphoma had previously resisted multiple therapies,” Ahmed said. “These three-year results highlight not only the long-lasting benefit of CAR T cell therapy, but also its favorable safety profile, offering real hope for patients facing this challenging disease.”
Shorter azacitidine regimen safely improves outcomes in lower-risk MDS patients
Read the full story | Read Abstract 487
Patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) experienced strong responses with fewer side effects when treated with a five-day azacitidine compared to shorter durations of azacitidine or decitabine. Final data from the trial was presented Dec. 7 by Ian Bouligny, M.D., assistant professor of Leukemia.
“For patients with lower-risk MDS, a five-day duration of azacitidine was safe and effective, showing improved event-free survival and overall survival compared to three-day durations of azacitidine or decitabine,” Bouligny said. “We’ve seen firsthand how this approach improves outcomes and enhances the overall treatment experience for our patients in clinic.”
Researchers identify CD40 as potential biomarker for a type of nodal T cell lymphoma
Read the full story| Read Abstract 555
Researchers have characterized the complex microenvironment in angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL), a type of nodal T cell lymphoma, and identified overexpression of the CD40 protein as a potential biomarker associated with improved overall survival (OS). The study was led by Francisco Vega, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Hematopathology, and Tania Sainz, graduate research assistant. Sainz presented the final results Dec. 7.
“The discovery of CD40 overexpression as a potential biomarker gives us a new lens to assess patient risk and opens the door to therapeutic strategies that could improve outcomes for this challenging disease, especially since no biomarkers to predict OS are currently available,” Sainz said.
New data highlights promise pivekimab sunirine in two aggressive blood cancers Read the full release | Read Abstracts 651 & 5195
In a Phase Ib/II trial led by Naval Daver, M.D., professor of Leukemia, patients with newly diagnosed CD123-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were unable to undergo intensive chemotherapy had strong response rates from the triplet combination of venetoclax, azacitidine and pivekimab sunirine (PVEK). Daver presented findings Dec. 7.
“This triplet regimen may represent a significant step forward for older patients with CD123-positive AML who are not candidates for intensive chemotherapy,” Daver said. “The remission and MRD rates we observed are very encouraging and support further development in larger trials.”
In the Phase I/II registrational CADENZA study led by Naveen Pemmaraju, M.D., professor of Leukemia, PVEK monotherapy achieved high response rates in a subgroup of patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) – a rare and aggressive blood cancer – and other blood cancers. Pemmaraju presented the findings Dec. 8.
“We identified a major breakthrough for the subgroup of patients who are not only dealing with BPDCN but also other blood cancers, leaving them historically with fewer treatment options,” Pemmaraju said. “These results suggest that PVEK treatment may be just as effective even in this high-risk subgroup, which is important progress for these patients.”
ABSTRACTS: 256, 388, 467, 487, 651 & 5195
Information source: MD Anderson Cancer Center
