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.

No Age Limit for Bone Marrow Transplantation

October 10th 2013

Age is no longer a consideration when determining whether an older patient with blood cancer is a candidate for stem cell transplantation.

Safety Concerns Halt Ponatinib Development

October 9th 2013

The FDA has placed a partial hold on the clinical development of the BCR-ABL inhibitor ponatinib, following the high occurrence of arterial thrombosis in patients treated with the drug.

National Cancer Institute Awards Leukemia Reseachers at Siteman $26 Million

October 7th 2013

The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded two major grants totaling $26 million to leukemia researchers and physicians at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

It's All in the "Genes"

September 23rd 2013

I remember trying to explain to my son when he was in the fifth grade how the genetic code contained in all of our cells is translated, resulting in the various tissues we all possess for daily life

Dr. Woyach on the Role of BTK in CLL

September 20th 2013

Jennifer Woyach, MD, assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Volasertib Given Breakthrough Therapy Designation for AML

September 17th 2013

The novel PLK1 inhibitor volasertib in combination with low-dose cytarabine has received a Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA for its potential as a treatment for patients with untreated AML.

Ofatumumab Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Earlier Use in CLL

September 16th 2013

The monoclonal antibody ofatumumab has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA that could allow for earlier use in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Updates in Hematology Oncology

September 13th 2013

Updates on new dosing strategies, formulations, and other information on treatments for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and myelofibrosis.

Dr. Brentjens on the Side Effects of CAR-Modified T Cells

September 4th 2013

Renier J. Brentjens, MD, PhD, Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the side effects of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)â€“modified T cells when used to treat B-cell malignancies.

Pharmacyclics Hopes to Break Through With Blood Cancer Drug Ibrutinib

August 30th 2013

Sunnyvale, California-based Pharmacyclics has yet to lay claim to any FDA-approved therapeutics since it was formally incorporated in 1991, but that may very well change in the near future as a first-in-class drug for certain B-cell malignancies is proving quite effective in clinical trials.

Dr. Powell on the Treatment of Older Patients With AML

August 20th 2013

Bayard L. Powell, MD, from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the treatment of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Experts Discuss Manipulation of T Cells for Therapy in Hematologic Malignancies

August 16th 2013

Finding new ways of manipulating the body's own defenses to better combat various hematologic malignancies is yielding some interesting results and could represent a very promising new field of care for patients dealing with these disorders.

Ibrutinib Combo Achieves 100% Response Rate in Patients With NHL

August 15th 2013

Adding ibrutinib to standard R-CHOP chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma resulted in an objective response rate of 100% in the first-line setting.

Dr. Goy on Developments in the Field of Immunology

August 14th 2013

Andre Goy, MD, Chairman and Director and Chief of Lymphoma at John Theurer Cancer Center, comments on the recent developments in fighting cancer with the immune system.

Novel PI3K Inhibitor Active in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

August 12th 2013

A dual-target PI3 kinase inhibitor known as IPI-145 demonstrated activity in several types of relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

More Than 200 Agents in Blood Cancer Pipeline

August 9th 2013

The biopharmaceutical industry has 241 medicines in development for the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers, which together are expected to comprise 9%, or 150,000, of new oncologic diagnoses in America this year.

Predicting Treatment Outcomes in Older Adults With AML

July 31st 2013

Measurable patient characteristics that predict better tolerance have not been widely studied and are desperately needed in clinical practice to inform treatment decision-making and individualize care for each older adult with AML.

Dr. Bradley Discusses Moxetumomab Pasudotox

July 30th 2013

Edward Bradley, MD, Senior Vice President, Head, Innovative Medicines unit (iMED), MedImmune (the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca), discusses the development of moxetumomab pasudotox.

Studies Highlight Newly Approved and Novel Multiple Myeloma Treatments

July 26th 2013

Researchers highlighted the latest developments in the treatment of multiple myeloma at the 2013 ASCO Annual Meeting. Noteworthy abstracts included updated data on pomalidomide, as well as research involving the novel agents daratumumab and elotuzumab.

GA101 Shows Gains in Pivotal CLL Trial

July 26th 2013

Obinutuzumab (GA101), a novel antibody that targets CD20, demonstrated a dramatic advantage in response rates when added to chlorambucil compared with the chemotherapy agent alone in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.