Hematologic Oncology | Specialty

The OncLive Hematology Oncology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and expert insights on various hematologic malignancies, including leukemias, lymphomas, myeloproliferative neoplasms, multiple myeloma, and much more. This section features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts that focus on unmet needs, treatment advances, and ongoing research in hematologic cancers.

Dr. Diefenbach Explains Antibody Drug Conjugates

June 10th 2014

Catherine M. Diefenbach, MD, assistant professor, medicine (hematology and medical oncology), Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone, explains antibody drug conjugates (ADCs)

Frontline Treatment Questions Abound as Generic Imatinib Approaches

June 10th 2014

The frontline treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosomeâ€“positive (Ph+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) continues to be debated as imatinib (Gleevec) rapidly approaches the end of its patent protection and next-generation agents continue to show efficacy in clinical trials.

2014 NCCN Guideline Updates: Experts Highlight New Recommendations for Clinical Practice

June 6th 2014

At the recent National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 19th Annual Conference, experts discussed this year's updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. The meeting also included reviews of NCCN Task Force reports on issues in supportive care. We asked eleven NCCN panel members to select the most significant updates and insights presented at the conference.

Novel Rituximab Combinations Highly Effective in CLL

June 2nd 2014

The novel agents idelalisib and ABT-199 in combination with rituximab have demonstrated impressive activity with manageable toxicity for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Dr. Byrd on Ibrutinib Versus Ofatumumab in CLL

June 1st 2014

John C. Byrd, MD, from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the promising findings from the phase III RESONATE trial that compared ofatumumab to ibrutinib in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Ibrutinib Triples PFS, Doubles OS in Phase III CLL Trial

May 31st 2014

Treatment with single-agent ibrutinib dramatically increased PFS by nearly 80% and significantly extended OS by 57% compared with ofatumumab in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL.

Making Progress in Treating Relapse in Childhood Leukemia

May 30th 2014

Having a robust armamentarium to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a major triumph in oncology.

New Model for Outpatient Induction Chemotherapy for AML and MDS Explored

May 28th 2014

Although many patients with cancer now receive chemotherapy as outpatients, most cancer treatment centers do not extend this practice to patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who are receiving initial intensive induction therapy.

Studies Link Higher Vitamin D Levels With Improved Cancer Prognosis

May 23rd 2014

Two recently published clinical studies demonstrated a strong association between higher levels of vitamin D and improved outcomes among patients with various cancers.

Ofatumumab Falls Short in DLBCL Trial

May 20th 2014

A phase III study exploring the chemotherapy regimen DHAP plus ofatumumab failed to meet its primary endpoint of prolongation in PFS when compared with DHAP plus rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL.

Nivolumab, Elotuzumab Receive Breakthrough Therapy Designations for Types of Blood Cancer

May 19th 2014

Over the course of only a few days, two drugs that will be commercialized by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), nivolumab and elotuzumab, have each been granted breakthrough therapy designations by the FDA for the treatment of two different types of blood cancers.

Dr. Litzow on New Immunologic Therapies in ALL

May 15th 2014

Mark R. Litzow, MD, a professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, discusses novel immunologic therapies for the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Dr. Richter on Pomalidomide as Sickle Cell Disease Treatment

May 14th 2014

Joshua Richter, MD, hematologist/oncologist, multiple myeloma, John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses using the FDA-approved multiple myeloma drug pomalidomide to treat patients with sickle cell disease.

Brentjens Discusses Key Questions in CAR T-Cell Therapies

May 12th 2014

An interview with Renier J. Brentjens, MD, PhD, on new therapies for patients with acute and chronic leukemias, in particular novel immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells.

Dr. Berenson on Weekly Carfilzomib For Patients With R/R Multiple Myeloma

May 9th 2014

James R. Berenson, MD, discusses a phase I study presented at the 2013 ASH meeting that analyzed the use weekly carfilzomib for patients with R/R multiple myeloma.

Targeting CD19 May Yield Paradigm-Altering Technology

May 9th 2014

For the past two decades, researchers have been exploring B-cell specific antigens in hopes of developing a new anticancer target that would mirror the success of the CD20-targeting rituximab (Rituxan). Now, strategies aimed at CD19 are proving particularly promising.

Dr. Younes Discusses the Future of Treating Lymphoid Malignancies

May 6th 2014

Anas Younes, MD, chief, Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the future of treating lymphoid malignancies.

FDA Approves Home Administration for Omacetaxine Mepesuccinate

May 5th 2014

The FDA has approved subcutaneous omacetaxine mepesuccinate injection for home administration in patients with chronic or accelerated phase CML who are resistant or intolerant to treatment with TKIs.

Dr. Goy on NCCN Guidelines for Lymphomas

May 2nd 2014

Andre Goy, MD, MS, chairman, director, and chief of the Lymphoma Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center, discusses NCCN guidelines for the treatment of lymphomas.

Emerging Treatments and Trends in Hematologic Malignancies: A Q&A With Anas Younes, MD

April 30th 2014

At the 18th Annual International Congress on Hematologic Malignancies, Anas Younes, MD, sat down with Oncology & Biotech News to discuss trends in the management of hematologic malignances.