Dr. Short on Ponatinib and Blinatumomab in Philadelphia Chromosome–Positive ALL

Nicholas J. Short, MD, assistant professor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses updated results from a single-arm phase 2 study (NCT03263572) investigating ponatinib (Iclusig) plus blinatumomab (Blincyto) in patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

This combination has elicited promising remission levels in this patient population, Short says. Specifically, 85% of patients with newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL achieved a complete molecular response, as well as 79% of patients with relapsed/refractory ALL, Short notes.

Patients with newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL also underwent weekly testing with peripheral blood polymerase chain reaction assays, Short says. These assays have shown rapid and deep remission levels in those patients as early as 1 to 2 weeks after starting treatment, Short concludes.