Reporting from:
American Society of Hematology Meeting,
Philadelphia, December 6-10, 2002
Scientific Editors:
George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Anton Hagenbeek, University of Utrecht
John Goldman, Hammersmith Hospital
Volker Diehl, University of Cologne
Producer: Derek Thorne
Presenters: Derek Thorne & Peter Goodwin
Paul Richardson, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
The conference heard about a phase II trial of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. The drug has shown promising results in a group of heavily pre-treated myeloma patients, without excess toxicity.
COMMENT: George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Alexandra Levine, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Los Angeles
With transplants an unlikely option for older patients with mantle cell lymphoma, what else can a doctor do? This study, involving 15 patients, shows that a triple therapy regimen could produce durable responses
COMMENT: George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Wolfram Brugger, University of Tübingen
Although monoclonal antibodies may not be able to eliminate large numbers of lymphoma cells, they could help to mop up the smaller numbers remaining after more drastic cyto-reductive treatments. Rituximab was tested in this way, in follicular and mantle cell lymphoma.
Myron Czuczman, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo
Ibritumomab tiuxetan (zevalin), a radiolabelled monoclonal antibody, is currently in use for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. But some doctors are concerned that it might promote secondary malignancies. ASH delegates heard about its 9 year safety record.
John Leonard, Cornell University, New York
Epratuzumab is a new monoclonal antibody that recognizes the CD22 antigen on malignant cells. This investigation looked at its performance in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Bertrand Coiffier, Hospices Civils de Lyon
What are the options for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patients who respond to rituximab, but eventually relapse? One retrospective analysis suggests the best option is to use rituximab again.
Jerry Radich, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, Seattle
The IRIS study is the largest and longest randomized study to compare imatinib with interferon and Ara-C. Molecular response data were presented at ASH.
Richard Silver, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York
The Philadelphia conference heard about imatinib’s performance in accelerated phase CML. The drug’s general activity in these patients has been known for over a year, and new 3 year results can now help doctors to decide on the best dose.
Jorge Cortes, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Because of imatinib resistance, additional drugs for CML are currently on the clinical agenda. One is decitabine, an agent that suppresses the methylation of DNA. This drug was recently tested in patients already treated with imatinib.
Eric Sievers, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (mylotarg), is a new immuno conjugate for AML. According to the most recent studies, it may perform well both alone and in combination with other treatments.
COMMENT: George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Torsten Haferlach, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich
Gene profiling, a technique that identifies abnormally expressed genes in malignant cells, may provide accurate and rapid diagnosis of leukemias within a few years, according to a number of investigations presented at ASH.
COMMENT: George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
