An imatinib-based (Gleevec) regimen induced a similarly high rate of hematological complete response (CR) versus a more intensive imatinib-HyperCVAD regimen in younger adults with de novo Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the rate of molecular response was somewhat lower with the imatinib-based regimen, according to preliminary results of the GRAAPH 2005 study.

Thalomide may not be the best partner for bortezomib (Velcade) in combination therapy for elderly multiple myeloma patients. Based on the results of a phase III clinical trial, bortezomib, prednisone, and thalidomide achieved equivalent outcomes when compared with a similar combination therapy using melphalan, but led to more serious adverse events, particularly thromboembolic complications.

A simple, inexpensive, widely available serum lactate test had significant predictive value in identifying which patients with hematologic malignancies and febrile neutropenia are at risk for septic shock in a study presented at the ASH meeting this week.