Practice Update Editorial Team, 2014 Dec 07

December 7, 2014 – San Francisco, California – A high prevalence of platelet dysfunction has been demonstrated in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving all types of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including imatinib. This conclusion of a descriptive, cross-sectional study was reported at the 56th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Francisco from December 6 – 9, 2014.

A A Mian1, A Rafiei1, I Haberbosch1, A Zeifman2,3, I Titov2,3, V Stroylov2,3, A Metodieva1, O Stroganov2,3, F Novikov2,3, B Brill4, G Chilov2,3, D Hoelzer1, O G Ottmann1 and M Ruthardt1



1Department of Hematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
2Fusion Pharma, LLC, Moscow, Russian Federation
3Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
4Institute for Biomedical Research, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany


Abstract
Targeting BCR/ABL with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a proven concept for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias. Resistance attributable to either kinase mutations in BCR/ABL or non-mutational mechanisms remains the major clinical challenge. With the exception of ponatinib, all approved TKIs are unable to inhibit the ‘gatekeeper’ mutation T315I. However, a broad spectrum of kinase inhibition increases the off target effects of TKIs and may be responsible for cardiovascular issues of ponatinib. Thus, there is a need for more selective options for the treatment of resistant Ph+ leukemias. PF-114 is a novel TKI developed with the specifications of i.) targeting T315I and other resistance mutations in BCR/ABL; ii.) achieving a high selectivity to improve safety; and iii.) overcoming non-mutational resistance in Ph+ leukemias.

Tun Kiat Ko1, Charles T.H. Chuah1,2, John W.J. Huang1 , King-Pan Ng1 and S. Tiong Ong

This article is a retrospective, single-institution review of the incidence and clinical characteristics of late chronic anemia associated with prolonged use of imatinib for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. The authors reported a 30% incidence of late chronic anemia associated with a prolonged use of imatinib, with no effect on overall survival.

24/10/2014

European Medicines Agency recommends further measures to minimise risk of blood vessel blockage with Iclusig

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded its review of the benefits and risks of Iclusig (ponatinib), a medicine used for the treatment of leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells), and has recommended strengthened warnings in the product information aimed at minimising the risk of blood clots and blockages in the arteries.

Treatment Recommendations for People Living with CML

This is a summary of the European public assessment report (EPAR) for Imatinib Teva. It explains how the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) assessed the medicine to reach its opinion in favour of granting a marketing authorisation and its recommendations on the conditions of

Timothy Hughes and Deborah White.

10 Mar 2014
Researchers in Manchester have investigated the stickiness of leukaemia cells, and whether this is linked to drug resistance.

News | September 03, 2014 | Leukemia & Lymphoma, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Hematologic Malignancies
By Dave Levitan

STAT3 inhibition using a novel compound restored sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells that had shown resistance independent of BCR-ABL1 kinase activity, according to a new study published in the journal Leukemia. The findings could help fill gaps in CML treatment for patients with unexplained resistance to TKIs.