Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported on Jul. 7 that measurable residual disease was eradicated in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients using the antibody-drug conjugate inotuzumab ozogamicin. According to results from a Phase 2 study published in Blood Cancer Journal, among 37 patients treated, 70% achieved MRD negativity, with strong responses observed in both Philadelphia chromosome-positive and -negative cases.
The study found that patients who received treatment earlier had the most favorable outcomes. Relapse-free survival was recorded at 40 months, while median survival reached 61 months. The researchers said these results suggest this ADC treatment may offer patients a strong chance of clearing remaining disease even after other therapies have been administered.
Clearing measurable residual disease is considered an important predictor of whether a patient will relapse. When MRD becomes undetectable, patients generally have an increased chance of staying in remission. The report also indicated that this treatment could help more patients become eligible for stem cell transplant or chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy by achieving a safer, lower-disease state.
The treatment was well tolerated by participants, and side effects were described as manageable.
The findings highlight inotuzumab ozogamicin as a potential strategy to deepen remissions and possibly improve long-term outcomes by eradicating residual leukemia.
