Dr. Nicholas Short: The Latest Therapeutic Advances in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Dr. Nicholas Short: The Latest Therapeutic Advances in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract: Dr. Nicholas Short delves into the forefront of advancements in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at the EHA Congress 2023. He discusses the evolution of therapeutic strategies, particularly in B cell ALL, where various agents like blinatumomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin, and CD19 CAR T cell products have demonstrated notable efficacy. Notably, the focus on Philadelphia Chromosome-positive ALL introduces potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors like ponatinib, exhibiting promising outcomes surpassing earlier treatments. Further, Dr. Short presents compelling insights into an ongoing study exploring a chemotherapy-free regimen using ponatinib and blinatumomab for newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL patients. This regimen showcases high response rates and deep molecular responses, potentially redefining the standard of care without the necessity of transplantation in initial remission. Additionally, he emphasizes the emergence of CAR-T cell therapies targeting T cell ALL, addressing a longstanding therapeutic gap. These advances herald promising directions in the ALL landscape, presenting novel possibilities for improved treatment modalities.
Dr. Huiqiang Huang: Just around the corner! Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is ushering in the era of immunotherapy.

Dr. Huiqiang Huang: Just around the corner! Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is ushering in the era of immunotherapy.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) of nasal type is a rare subtype, commonly found in the Asian population and associated with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). At present, the prognosis for patients remains poor, especially for relapsed/refractory (R/R) cases. From June 8 to 11, 2023, the 28th European Hematology Association (EHA) annual meeting was held in Frankfurt, Germany. A selected oral report (Abstract No.: S226) from the conference showed that the use of PD-1 inhibitors alone or in combination significantly improved the treatment of R/R ENKTCL patients. This study further confirmed that immune checkpoint inhibitors have become an important treatment option for R/R ENKTCL patients. Oncology Frontier invited Dr. Huiqiang Huang from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center to share the research findings and insights at the conference.