VIDEO: 'Revolution' in molecular biology accelerating development of novel AML therapies
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In this video, Farhad Ravandi, MD, reviews recent advances in acute myeloid leukemia therapies discussed at the Society of Hematologic Oncology Annual Meeting.
Specifically, Ravandi, professor of medicine and chief of the section of acute myeloid leukemia in the department of leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, noted that the “revolution in molecular biology and understanding the leukemogenic process” have accelerated the development of effective treatment options as well as the FDA approval of several new agents for AML.
“Although not all of these new approvals are molecularly targeted agents, we all agree that some of the molecularly based agents are showing enormous promise,” Ravandi told Healio.
Additionally, Ravandi said better characterization of AML subsets by the definition of various molecular aberrations that exist in the disease has been a major step forward. This has led to the approval of a number of therapies, including FLT3 inhibitors such as midostaurin (Rydapt; Novartis) and gilteritinib (Xospata; Astellas) and IDH inhibitors such as ivosidenib (Tibsovo; Servier Pharmaceuticals) and enasidenib (Idhifa; Celgene).
Ravandi also discussed the impact that the availability of venetoclax (Venclexta; Abbvie, Genentech) has made in treating AML.
“It really, in my opinion, changed the picture for elderly unfit patients with AML,” he told Healio. “And actually, it is going to make impacts in other subgroups of AML, such as fit elderly patients and even younger patients. Once we really know how to best incorporate venetoclax into treatment regimens, it’s possible that venetoclax can improve many of the existing regimens that we use in treating patients with AML.”
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Healio Interview
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