Audio Journal of Oncology 14.2, March 2006

in Oncology
— 11 Jan, 2006

Audio Journal of Oncology 14.2, March 2006

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Reporting from:
American Society of Hematology Meeting, Atlanta, 10-13 December 2005
Scientific Editors:
George Canellos, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Gordon McVie, European Institute of Oncology, Milan
Pat Price, Christie Hospital, Manchester
Gianni Bonadonna, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
Producer: Derek Thorne

In this edition:

It is not necessary to use rituximab along with standard CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, predinsone) induction therapy among patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. So said Sandra Horning at a packed lymphoma meeting during the ASH confderence. According to the findings of a new study reported to the ASH conference, however, the use of rituximab mainenance, after the induction therapy, brings strong improvements in clinical outcome.

The original IRIS study showing the runaway superiority of imatinib after one year over standard treatment for cronic myeloid leukemia has now been followed up to maturity. John Goldman told the ASH audience the study results strongly endorses the use of imatinib as the gold standard treatment.

Michael Keating told the Atlanta conference that adding rituximab to standard fluydarabine plus cyclophosphamide therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia has helped patients survive longer.

Interviews in this edition:

1. Rituximab Maintenance after Chemotherapy Gives Better Outcomes in Advanced Follicular Lymphoma

Sandra Horning

Abstract 349
Sandra Horning, Stanford University Medical Center
It is not necessary to use rituximab along with standard CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, predinsone) induction therapy in patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. However, the use of rituximab maintenance, after induction therapy, brought clear benefits among patients in the study.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/01.sandra_horning.mp3]

2. Rituximab Plus CHOP Induction then Rituximab Maintenance: Big Gains in Relapsed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Marinus Van Oers

Abstract 353
Marinus Van Oers, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
The use of rituximab as part of both induction and maintenance therapy for relapsed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has now been endorsed.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/02.marinus_van_oers.mp3]

3. First Line Immuno-Chemotherapy: Efficacy Confirmed in Follicular Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Philippe Solal-Celigny

Abstract 350
Philippe Solal-Celigny, Centre Jean Bernard, Le Mans
Rituximab contributed to improvements in clinical outcomes among patients with follicular non Hodgkin’s lymphoma who were treated first line with this immunotherapy combined with standard CVP chemotherapy. But an additional and greater benefit was found among patients randomized to receive further maintenance immunotherapy with rituximab.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/03.philippe_solal-celigny.mp3]

4. AMN 107: Inhibitor of BCR-ABL Active in Imatinib Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia or Philadelphia-positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Hagop Kantarjian

Abstract 37
Hagop Kantarjian, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Although imatinib brings control to more than 90% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, the drug does not suppress disease in other patients. One of the two leading alternative agents, however, AMN 107, has now given promising responses among patients whose disease evades the effects of imatinib.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/04.hagop_kantarjian.mp3]

5. Dasatinib: Phase II Remissions in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Andreas Hochhaus

Andreas Hochhaus, University of Heidelberg, Manheim
Another tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the BCR ABL pathway, dasatinib, has also achieved positive results among patients whose chronic myeloid leukemia is resistant or refractory to imatinib.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/05.andreas_hochhaus.mp3]

6. Four Year Results from IRIS Confirm Imatinib Benefit

John Goldman

John Goldman, Imperial College, London
The original IRIS study compared imatinib with the combination of interferon plus cytarabine for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. The runaway superiority of imatinib (noticed after one year) has now confirmed at four years of follow up, strongly endorsing the use of imatinib as the gold standard treatment.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/06.john_goldman.mp3]

7. CMLVAX100 Trial – Peptide Vaccination for CML

Monica Bocchia

Abstract 167
Monica Bocchia, University of Siena, Italy
A vaccine targeting a protein junction of BCR ABL has achieved partial, complete, and even molecular remissions among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, raising hopes of yet another weapon in the armory for patients whose disease is resistant to imatinib.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/07.monica_bocchia.mp3]

8. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Salvage Therapy: Gemtuzumab Adds to ATRA and Chemotherapy Benefit

Abstract 1849
Richard Schlenk, University of Ulm
The addition of gemtuzumab to a salvage regimen appears to bring benefits among patients with acute myeloid leukemia who have failed other therapies.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/08.richard_schlenk.mp3]

9. Imatinib Brings Benefits in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Bella Patel, Royal Free Hospital, London
Imatinib has achieved improvements in clinical outcomes among patients with Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/09.bella_patel.mp3]

10. Chemo-Immunotherapy: Best Initial Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

Abstract 2118
Michael Keating, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Adding rituximab to standard fluydarabine plus cyclophosphamide therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia has helped patients survive longer.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/10.michael_keating.mp3]

11. Salvage Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and the Role of Stem Cell Transplantation

John Gribben, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
The use of stem cell transplantation, antisense, and the new drug alemtuzumab all bring promise of better outcomes for salvage therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/11.john_gribben.mp3]

12. Myelo-Ablative Radio-Immunotherapy Eases Autologous Stem Cell Transplantations in Over 60s with Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Lymphoma

Ajay Gopal

Abstract 487
Ajay Gopal, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Radioimmunotherapy at myeloablative doses may hold the key to treating patients with lymphoma over the age of 60 who would otherwise be denied transplants on grounds of the treatment being too harsh for their age.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/12.ajay_gopal.mp3]

13. New Targeted Therapy for Older Patients with Advanced Acute Myeloid Leukemia

John Pagel

Abstract 397
John Pagel, University of Washington, Seattle
Reduced intensity conditioning, sometimes called “mini transplants” offer an option which could safely be used to treat older patients with multiple myeloma.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/13.john_pagele.mp3]

14. Phase III Study of Lenalidomide Plus Dexamethasone versus Dexamethasone Alone in Multiple Myeloma

Meletios Dimopoulos

Abstract 6
Meletios Dimopoulos, University of Athens, Greece
58% of patients with heavily pre-treated multiple myeloma responded to a combination of the thalidomide analog lenalidomide combined with the standard drug dexamethazone, as compared with only 22% treated with dexamethazone alone. The study of 700 patients found better response rates and time to progression in the lenalidomide-treated group.

[audio:https://www.audiomedica.com/podcasting/ajo_14.2/14.meletios_dimopoulos.mp3]