September 30, 2024 | 18.12
READING: 2 minutes
“The bispecific antibody blinatumomab has changed and is changing the history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the evidence in the first line of treatment suggests a very different future for patients compared to the past”. These are the words of Alessandra Brescianini, medical director of Amgen Italia, today in Milan, on the occasion of the presentation of the results of the Phase III E1910 clinical study, which demonstrate how the introduction of the bispecific monoclonal antibody blinatumomab in the first line of treatment significantly increases the Overall survival of patients with newly diagnosed Ph- B cell ALL.
Recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the results of the Phase III E1910 clinical trial demonstrate that in these patients, without traces of detectable disease (MRD negative), after initial treatment, the addition of the bispecific antibody blinatumomab to chemotherapy consolidation, significantly increases survival. The addition of immunotherapy to the first-line treatment scheme has in fact allowed a reduction in the risk of death by 59%: in fact, after approximately three and a half years, 85% of patients treated with blinatumomab are still alive, compared to 68% of those treated with chemotherapy alone.
“I would like to underline that the development of this drug arises from constant collaboration with the scientific community – adds Brescianini – and in particular with Italian hematologists, who have made a fundamental contribution at an international level to the development of this therapy. This is an active collaboration, which allows us to exploit all the potential of this drug, as with the testing of the subcutaneous formulation of blinatumomab. Currently the data confirm the high effectiveness of this formulation which will be able to improve the quality of life of patients by allowing them to avoid long intravenous infusions – he concludes – significantly contributing to the emotional and psychological well-being of patients, supporting them in their treatment path”.
#Brescianini #Amgen #Blinatumomab #history #acute #lymphoblastic #leukemia