Walter Alexander

Ofatumumab (Arzerra) demonstrated clinical benefit was superior to historic outcomes with salvage therapies in this setting, according to lead investigator William G. Wierda, MD, PhD. After about 26 months of median follow-up, progression-free survival and overall survival improved in fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia and in fludarabine-refractory CLL with bulky lymph nodes.

The median reductions in Bcr-Abl transcripts at one year were greater with dasatinib (Sprycel) than with imatinib (Gleevec), according to the results of an intergroup phase II trial. A better molecular response should eventually correlate with better outcomes, making dasatinib a serious contender for upfront therapy in CML.

Ipilimumab has being lauded as a monumental advance in the field of immuno-oncology. While the news is certainly promising, unanswered questions remain and the melanoma community must proceed with caution.

Research by the International Breast Cancer Study Group furthers knowledge on how anti-estrogen agents affect cognitive function and memory.

Bortezomib-based combination induction therapy paired with thalidomide offers a promising addition to the treatment armamentarium for multiple myeloma, according to results of a phase II study.

Rasburicase (RAS) is superior to allopurinol in adult patients with hematological malignancies whose treatment puts them at high risk for developing tumor lysis syndrome or who have hyperuricemia at baseline, according to a study out of Houston’s M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

This update, of patients with 11 months or greater follow-up, showed a complete hematologic response in 77% of patients receiving nilotinib, with a major cytogenetic response in 57.

ORLANDO-In newly diagnosed, early chronic phase, Ph+ chronic myelogenous leukemia, nilotinib (Tasigna) quickly induced complete cytogenetic responses and was well tolerated, Jorge Cortes, MD, of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, said at ASH 2007 (abstract 29).

Multiple myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide (Revlimid) plus dexamethasone had improved responses, longer time to progression, and improved overall survival than those receiving dexamethasone alone in pooled phase III clinical trial results. Donna Weber, MD, of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, presented the findings at ASH 2007 (abstract 412).

Six-year results of the IRIS trial confirm imatinib (Gleevec) as the standard first-line therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia

Sunitinib (Sutent) is a cost-effective treatment for metastatic renal cell cancer, according to a report at the 14th European Cancer Conference

Sunitinib lowers PSA in some advanced prostate cancer pts