A landmark paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine describes the results from a global trial across 148 sites in 23 countries, showing a 30 per cent improvement in survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
The Phase 3 clinical trial called QUAZAR, showed that a drug, called CC-486, significantly improved survival in older patients, over the age of 55, with the disease. AML is the most acute blood cancer in adults and its incidence increases with age, with a poor prognosis. With current treatments, the majority of older patients will die of their disease within 2 years of diagnosis.
Around 20,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with AML every year.
The global trial focused on people with AML over 55 years of age, "because of an unmet need to identify new agents able to improve outcome in patients after completing chemotherapy," the author said.
"After intensive chemotherapy, the risk of AML relapse is high. Many older patients are not eligible to receive a stem cell transplant and so a less toxic option to reduce disease recurrence is desirable, rather than just being monitored and waiting for the disease to come back," the author said.
"Based on the results of the QUAZAR study, it is very exciting to think that, by taking a tablet that is relatively well-tolerated, we can help reduce relapse risk and improve survival."
The trial involved 472 patients, with an average age 68 years, who were either given CC-486 or a placebo.
Those receiving the drug - which has the added advantage of being a tablet that can be taken at home - had an average survival from remission of almost 25 months compared to those who did not take the drug, whose average survival was almost 15 months.
The Food and Drug Administration fast-tracked approval for the use of CC-486 in the U.S in September this year.
The senior author says the data presented in the NEJM is likely to establish a new standard of care for older patients with AML, "because our findings show that CC-486 significantly delays recurrence of the disease, thereby prolonging survival and without impacting on quality of life".
"This is a very significant advance because the drug is easy to administer and means that adults with AML don't have to spend extra time in hospital," the author said.
The author added the drug is currently not approved for use in Australia.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2004444
Phase 3 clinical trial reveals life saving drug for acute myeloid leukemia
- 1,543 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Circadian rhythms can influ…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
With hybrid brains, these m…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Blocking activation of NF-κ…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Vitamin D regulates microbi…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Role of alternative splicin…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Other Top Stories
Two different parts of the brain helps us to calculate when to make…
Read more
Neurons process information differently depending on their location
Read more
Evaluation of Human Cell Surface Proteins (Surfaceome)
Read more
Poor language development in autism is associated with widespread g…
Read more
Adrenergic-induced remodeling of the neuro-vascular network in adip…
Read more
Protocols
A programmable targeted pro…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
MemPrep, a new technology f…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
A tangible method to assess…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
Stem cell-derived vessels-o…
By newseditor
Posted 06 Apr
Single-cell biclustering fo…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Apr
Publications
Single dose creatine improv…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Autonomous circadian rhythm…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Functional sensory circuits…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Positive selection CRISPR s…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Focal clusters of peri-syna…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Apr
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar