Hematologic Cancers

Within the oncology drug development pipeline, “multiple myeloma is one of the more intriguing spaces,” according to R. Donald Harvey, PharmD, BCOP, who said one reason for his excitement is the emergence of monoclonal antibodies.

Several new drugs for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are considered major advances: 2 have been approved and 2 are under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The optimal dosing of pomalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma has not been established. Yale University investigators compared continuous and intermittent dosing regimens, and while the intermittent schedule was associated with more toxicity, they concluded that it is preferable.

For patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) receiving chemotherapy, primary prophylaxis against febrile neutropenia (FN) can safely be administered on the same treatment day, if necessary, according to a review of patients from the Cleveland Clinic, presented at the 2013 American Society of Hematology annual meeting.

This article discusses ongoing clinical investigations of the agent in a wide range of therapeutic areas.

Bendamustine is currently approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and many ongoing studies are investigating its efficacy in drug combinations.

Bendamustine has demonstrated activity as monotherapy and in combination for patients with lymphoid and hematologic as well as solid tumors.

At the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, a number of abstracts were presented demonstrating the efficacy and toxicities of bendamustine either alone or in combination with other agents for the treatment of several lymphoid malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and indolent as well as aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

An investigational oral proteasome inhibitor known as MLN9708 had such promising results in phase 1 and 2 trials that it is currently in phase 3 testing. If results are positive, the drug is expected to be approved as soon as 2014.

In August 2012, vincristine sulfate LIPOSOME injection (VSLI) (Marqibo) was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in second or greater relapse or whose disease has progressed after 2 or more regimens.