AUTHOR=Deak Dalma , Pop Cristina , Zimta Alina-Andreea , Jurj Ancuta , Ghiaur Alexandra , Pasca Sergiu , Teodorescu Patric , Dascalescu Angela , Antohe Ion , Ionescu Bogdan , Constantinescu Catalin , Onaciu Anca , Munteanu Raluca , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana , Petrushev Bobe , Turcas Cristina , Iluta Sabina , Selicean Cristina , Zdrenghea Mihnea , Tanase Alina , Danaila Catalin , Colita Anca , Colita Andrei , Dima Delia , Coriu Daniel , Einsele Hermann , Tomuleasa Ciprian
TITLE=Let’s Talk About BiTEs and Other Drugs in the Real-Life Setting for B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology
VOLUME=10
YEAR=2019
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.02856
DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2019.02856
ISSN=1664-3224
ABSTRACT=Background: Therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are currently initially efficient, but even if a high percentage of patients have an initial complete remission (CR), most of them relapse. Recent data shows that immunotherapy with either bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells can eliminate residual chemotherapy-resistant B-ALL cells.
Objective: The objective of the manuscript is to present improvements in the clinical outcome for chemotherapy-resistant ALL in the real-life setting, by describing Romania's experience with bispecific antibodies for B-cell ALL.
Methods: We present the role of novel therapies for relapsed B-cell ALL, including the drugs under investigation in phase I-III clinical trials, as a potential bridge to transplant. Blinatumomab is presented in a critical review, presenting both the advantages of this drug, as well as its limitations.
Results: Bispecific antibodies are discussed, describing the clinical trials that resulted in its approval by the FDA and EMA. The real-life setting for relapsed B-cell ALL is described and we present the patients treated with blinatumomab in Romania.
Conclusion: In the current manuscript, we present blinatumomab as a therapeutic alternative in the bridge-to-transplant setting for refractory or relapsed ALL, to gain a better understanding of the available therapies and evidence-based data for these patients in 2019.