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.

Novel Epigenetic Therapy Shows Clinical Activity in Hematologic Malignancies

July 2nd 2014

Preliminary evidence supports the use of bromodomain inhibitors in hematologic malignancies, including acute leukemia (mainly acute myelogenous leukemia) and other hematological malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Blinatumomab Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation for ALL

July 1st 2014

The FDA has granted a breakthrough therapy designation to blinatumomab for the treatment of adult patients with Philadelphia-negative relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Ofatumumab Misses PFS Endpoint in Bulky CLL

June 30th 2014

Ofatumumab (Arzerra) failed to meet its primary endpoint of improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in a phase III study of the drug versus physicians' choice for bulky fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL),

MRD: The Next Frontier in Oncology

June 19th 2014

The measurement of response to anticancer therapy has evolved over the years as a result of better therapies and progress in imaging.

Dr. Carson Discusses Mogamulizumab as Potential Treatment for CTCL

June 18th 2014

Kenneth R. Carson, MD, assistant professor, Division of Oncology, Washington University, discusses mogamulizumab as a potential treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL).

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.