Dr. Vusirikala on Ongoing Research With Blinatumomab in ALL

Madhuri Vusirikala, MD, professor of internal medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center of UT Southwestern Medical Center, discusses ongoing research with blinatumomab (Blincyto) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Blinatumomab is being used in the up front setting, as it is a highly effective agent in ALL, says Vusirikala. At UT Southwestern Medical Center, the ECOG-ACRIN 1910 trial is evaluating blinatumomab in the frontline setting. Patients who have minimal residual disease (MRD) after 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy are assigned to receive blinatumomab. Patients with MRD-negative ALL at the end of induction intensification are randomized to receive blinatumomab versus no blinatumomab. The trial will determine whether blinatumomab has a role in patients who have MRD-negative disease at the end of induction therapy, says Vusirikala. Blinatumomab is also being examined in the pediatric setting.

Notably, there is concern that blinatumomab could lead to increased risk of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) if used after transplant, as it is an immune-based therapy. However, there are no data to suggest that the agent causes an increased risk of GVHD in optimally selected patients, concludes Vusirikala.