Investigational Therapy Prolongs Survival in Rare Form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

An investigational drug has prolonged survival for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have a genetic mutation called FMS-like internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD). The results of the phase 3 trial, which was led by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, were presented at the European Hematology Society’s 23rd Congress.

AML with the FLT3-ITD mutation is a rare and deadly form of the disease that affects approximately one-third of patients with AML. These patients present with more aggressive disease and are more likely to relapse after remission.

So far, quizartinib, a second-generation FLT3 inhibitor, has shown promising activity. The new findings of the QUANTUM-R study presented at the European Hematology Society have confirmed the efficacy and safety of the treatment, as well as the value of targeting FLT3-ITD with the agent, which is a small molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Click to continue reading on The American Journal of Managed Care.