Advances in the Treatment of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2019Source: Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and LeukemiaAuthor(s): Shilpa Paul, Caitlin R. Rausch, Mary Alma Welch, Hagop M. Kantarjian, Elias J. JabbourAbstractThe treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has largely followed the successful pediatric model that uses multiagent chemotherapy regimens. Although cytotoxic chemotherapy can induce complete remissions, elderly patients are frequently unable to tolerate its intensity due to toxicities and comorbidities. Elderly patients particularly often relapse, leading to a 5-year overall survival (OS) of only 20%. In an effort to improve outcomes while minimizing toxicities, novel targeted therapies have been developed: monoclonal antibodies against CD19, CD20 and CD22; tyrosine kinase inhibitors; chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies; BH3 mimetics. Here we discuss advancements in the treatment of ALL and their places in the armamentarium for adult patients.
Source: Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research