Leukaemia

The APOLLO trial investigated the efficacy of combining all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) versus the standard of care, ATRA and chemotherapy (CHT) in high-risk acute promyelocytic leukaemia (HR-APL). Despite early study termination due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 131 patients were analyzed. Results showed that ATRA-ATO achieved a 2-year event-free survival (EFS) of 89%, compared to 72% for ATRA-CHT. Both regimens had similar early death rates, but molecular relapse occurred only in the ATRA-CHT group. ATRA-ATO with initial idarubicin doses demonstrated superior outcomes, suggesting potential as a new standard for HR-APL.

In KMT2Ar leukaemia, the interaction between menin and KMT2A fusion proteins plays a crucial role in the development of the disease. Despite this, there are currently no approved therapies targeting the menin-KMT2A interaction. Dr Ibrahim Aldoss (City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA) joins us to discuss revumenib, a novel small-molecule inhibitor targeting […]

BMT-CTN1506 (“MORPHO”) was an international phase III trial investigating the use of post-haematopoietic cell transplantation maintenance with the FLT3 inhibitor, gilteritinib, in patients with FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukaemia. The aims and findings of the trial, as well as questions that remain to be answered, are discussed in this touchHAEMATOLOGY interview with Dr Mark Levis (Sidney […]

We caught up with Prof Jorge Cortes (Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, GA, USA) to discuss his highlights from the recent EHA 2023 Congress, including two clinical trials that investigated the use of quizarpenib in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. Abstracts discussed: Abstract S130: ‘Preliminary Results of QUIWI: A Double Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing […]

Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has been associated with poor outcomes, and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the current recommended treatment. Professor Robin Foà (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy) joins us after the EBMT23 meeting to discuss his perspective on the ongoing debate of whether we should transplant all patients with Philadelphia Ph+ […]