Dr. Advani Compares Inotuzumab and Blinatumomab for ALL

Anjali Advani, MD ,staff physician, Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Director, Inpatient Leukemia Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, associate professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, compares inotuzumab ozogamicin, a CD22 monoclonal antibody, to blinatumomab, a CD19 bi-specific anti-CD19/CD3 antibody for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Response rates between the two drugs are similar, says Advani, but each drug offers its own pros and cons.

Continuous infusion is needed for blinatumomab, which requires a significant time commitment from patients. Inotuzumab can be given weekly or every few weeks, but does have some toxicity.

Patients cans become resistant to both drugs, so having two drugs available as options for patients is beneficial, says Advani.