The evolution of acute lymphoblastic leukemia research and therapy at MD Anderson over four decades. 2023

Elias Jabbour, and Nicholas J Short, and Nitin Jain, and Fadi G Haddad, and Mary Alma Welch, and Farhad Ravandi, and Hagop Kantarjian
Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 428, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. ejabbour@mdanderson.org.

Progress in the research and therapy of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is accelerating. This analysis summarizes the data derived from the clinical trials conducted at MD Anderson between 1985 and 2022 across ALL subtypes. In Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL, the addition of BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to intensive chemotherapy since 2000, improved outcomes. More recently, a chemotherapy-free regimen with blinatumomab and ponatinib resulted in a complete molecular remission rate of 85% and an estimated 3-year survival rate of 90%, potentially reducing the role of, and need for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in remission. In younger patients with pre-B Philadelphia chromosome-negative ALL, the integration of blinatumomab and inotuzumab into the frontline therapy has improved the estimated 3-year survival rate to 85% across all risk categories. Our future strategy is to evaluate the early integration of both immunotherapy agents, inotuzumab and blinatumomab, with low-dose chemotherapy (dose-dense mini-Hyper-CVD-inotuzumab-blinatumomab) into the frontline setting followed by CAR T cells consolidation in high-risk patients, without any further maintenance therapy. In older patients, using less intensive chemotherapy (mini-Hyper-CVD) in combination with inotuzumab and blinatumomab has improved the 5-year survival rate to 50%. Among patients ≥ 65-70 years, the mortality in complete remission (CR) is still high and is multifactorial (old age, death in CR with infections, development of myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia). A chemotherapy-free regimen with inotuzumab and blinatumomab is being investigated. The assessment of measurable residual disease (MRD) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) is superior to conventional assays, with early MRD negativity by NGS being associated with the best survival. We anticipate that the future therapy in B-ALL will involve less intensive and shorter chemotherapy regimens in combination with agents targeting CD19 (blinatumomab), CD20, and CD22 (inotuzumab). The optimal timing and use of CAR T cells therapy may be in the setting of minimal disease, and future trials will assess the role of CAR T cells as a consolidation among high-risk patients to replace allogeneic SCT. In summary, the management of ALL has witnessed significant progress during the past four decades. Novel combination regimens including newer-generation BCR::ABL1 TKIs and novel antibodies are questioning the need and duration of intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic SCT.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010677 Philadelphia Chromosome An aberrant form of human CHROMOSOME 22 characterized by translocation of the distal end of chromosome 9 from 9q34, to the long arm of chromosome 22 at 22q11. It is present in the bone marrow cells of 80 to 90 per cent of patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia (LEUKEMIA, MYELOGENOUS, CHRONIC, BCR-ABL POSITIVE). Ph1 Chromosome,Ph 1 Chromosome,1 Chromosomes, Ph,Chromosome, Ph 1,Chromosome, Ph1,Chromosome, Philadelphia,Chromosomes, Ph 1,Chromosomes, Ph1,Ph 1 Chromosomes,Ph1 Chromosomes
D002318 Cardiovascular Diseases Pathological conditions involving the CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM including the HEART; the BLOOD VESSELS; or the PERICARDIUM. Adverse Cardiac Event,Cardiac Events,Major Adverse Cardiac Events,Adverse Cardiac Events,Cardiac Event,Cardiac Event, Adverse,Cardiac Events, Adverse,Cardiovascular Disease,Disease, Cardiovascular,Event, Cardiac
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000971 Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols The use of two or more chemicals simultaneously or sequentially in the drug therapy of neoplasms. The drugs need not be in the same dosage form. Anticancer Drug Combinations,Antineoplastic Agents, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocols,Antineoplastic Drug Combinations,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocols,Chemotherapy Protocols, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Regimens,Combined Antineoplastic Agents,Agent, Combined Antineoplastic,Agents, Combined Antineoplastic,Anticancer Drug Combination,Antineoplastic Agent, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocol,Antineoplastic Drug Combination,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocol,Chemotherapy Protocol, Antineoplastic,Chemotherapy Protocol, Cancer,Chemotherapy Protocols, Cancer,Combinations, Antineoplastic Drug,Combined Antineoplastic Agent,Drug Combination, Anticancer,Drug Combination, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Anticancer,Protocol, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocol, Cancer Chemotherapy,Protocols, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocols, Cancer Chemotherapy
D015452 Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma A leukemia/lymphoma found predominately in children and adolescents and characterized by a high number of lymphoblasts and solid tumor lesions. Frequent sites involve LYMPH NODES, skin, and bones. It most commonly presents as leukemia. Leukemia, Pre-B-Cell,Pre-B-Cell Leukemia,Pre B-ALL,Pre-B ALL,Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia,Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma,Leukemia, Pre B Cell,Leukemias, Pre-B-Cell,Pre B ALL,Pre B Cell Leukemia,Pre-B-Cell Leukemias,Precursor B Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia,Precursor B Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia Lymphoma,Precursor B Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
D054198 Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma A neoplasm characterized by abnormalities of the lymphoid cell precursors leading to excessive lymphoblasts in the marrow and other organs. It is the most common cancer in children and accounts for the vast majority of all childhood leukemias. Leukemia, Lymphoblastic,Leukemia, Lymphoid, Acute,Lymphoblastic Leukemia,Lymphoblastic Lymphoma,Lymphocytic Leukemia, Acute,Lymphoma, Lymphoblastic,ALL, Childhood,Acute Lymphoid Leukemia,Leukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L1,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, L2,Leukemia, Lymphoblastic, Acute, Philadelphia-Positive,Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute,Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L1,Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute, L2,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, Adult,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, Childhood,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L1,Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute, L2,Lymphocytic Leukemia, L1,Lymphocytic Leukemia, L2,Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia,Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia,Childhood ALL,L1 Lymphocytic Leukemia,L2 Lymphocytic Leukemia,Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic,Leukemia, Acute Lymphoid,Leukemia, L1 Lymphocytic,Leukemia, L2 Lymphocytic,Lymphoid Leukemia, Acute,Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia Lymphoma
D018033 Antibodies, Bispecific Antibodies, often monoclonal, in which the two antigen-binding sites are specific for separate ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS. They are artificial antibodies produced by chemical crosslinking, fusion of HYBRIDOMA cells, or by molecular genetic techniques. They function as the main mediators of targeted cellular cytotoxicity and have been shown to be efficient in the targeting of drugs, toxins, radiolabeled haptens, and effector cells to diseased tissue, primarily tumors. Bifunctional Antibodies,Bispecific Antibodies,Bispecific Monoclonal Antibodies,Antibodies, Bifunctional,Antibodies, Bispecific Monoclonal,Monoclonal Antibodies, Bispecific

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