Anjali Advani, MD- Hematology and Medical Oncology- Cleveland Clinic
Anjali Advani, MD, begins her talk by expressing gratitude for the invitation to speak. She proceeds to discuss the integration of blinatumomab into upfront therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Dr. Advani explains that blinatumomab, a bispecific antibody engaging CD3 and CD19, effectively induces T-cell proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia cells. She emphasizes blinatumomab’s advantages, including its lack of attached chemotherapy, reduced risk of complications, and potential immune effects. Dr. Advani discusses ongoing efforts to refine blinatumomab’s administration and dosage for optimal patient outcomes.
The focal point of Dr. Advani’s talk is the E1910 trial, a significant advancement in ALL treatment. This trial, led by Mark Litzow and various cooperative groups, investigated the addition of blinatumomab to chemotherapy in MRD-negative patients. Dr. Advani highlights that this combination demonstrated remarkable improvements in overall survival and relapse-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone. She also delves into a distinct study involving pediatric ALL, where blinatumomab was combined with chemotherapy for infants with KMT2A rearranged ALL.