Big Trials, Big Results: New and Novel Agents for the Treatment of Blood Diseases and Disorders


More Info in the ASH Press release

Webcasts at the bottom

1 The Medalist Trial: Results of a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Luspatercept to Treat Anemia in Patients with Very Low-, Low-, or Intermediate-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) with Ring Sideroblasts (RS) Who Require Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusions

Alan F. List, et al

Conclusion

Treatment with luspatercept resulted in a significantly reduced transfusion burden compared with placebo in patients with anemia due to IPSS-R-defined Very low-, Low-, or Intermediate-risk MDS with RS, who require RBC transfusions, and was generally well tolerated.

https://ash.confex.com/ash/2018/webprogram/Paper110805.html

 

781 Excellent Outcome of Young Patients (18-60 years) with Favourable-Prognosis Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Treated with 4 Cycles CHOP Plus 6 Applications of Rituximab: Results of the 592 Patients of the Flyer Trial of the Dshnhl/GLA

Viola Poeschel, et al.

Conclusion: In young patients with favourable prognosis DLBCL outcome after 4x R-CHOP+ 2xR is non-inferior compared to the previous standard 6x R-CHOP. Thus, chemotherapy can be spared without compromising prognosis in this population. Supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe

https://ash.confex.com/ash/2018/webprogram/Paper112403.html

 

163 The Believe Trial: Results of a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Luspatercept in Adult Beta-Thalassemia Patients Who Require Regular Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusions

Maria Domenica Cappellini, et al.

Conclusions: Treatment with luspatercept resulted in significant reductions in RBC transfusion burden in adults with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Luspatercept was generally well tolerated in this patient population.

https://ash.confex.com/ash/2018/webprogram/Paper112435.html

 

6 Ibrutinib Alone or in Combination with Rituximab Produces Superior Progression Free Survival (PFS) Compared with Bendamustine Plus Rituximab in Untreated Older Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Results of Alliance North American Intergroup Study A041202

Jennifer A. Woyach, et al.

Conclusions:

This international phase 3 trial demonstrates that ibrutinib produces superior PFS to standard CIT in older pts with CLL and justifies it as a standard of care treatment for pts age 65 and older. The addition of rituximab does not prolong PFS with ibrutinib. While ibrutinib represents a major therapeutic advance, toxicities and also cost justify future efforts to reduce the need for long-term continuous treatment.

Support: K23CA178183, R01CA183444, U10CA180821, U10CA180882, U24CA196171, Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01886872

https://ash.confex.com/ash/2018/webprogram/Paper116653.html

NEJM: ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Ibrutinib Regimens versus Chemoimmunotherapy in Older Patients with Untreated CLL

J.A. Woyach and Others