61st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition

ER-based protocol ups accuracy of VWD testing

Elvira Manzano, 20200206145000

US researchers have developed an emergency department (ED)–based protocol that would help standardize the assessment and treatment of von Willebrand disease (VWD) in adolescent females with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

Venetoclax + bortezomib-dexamethasone combo improves response rates in RRMM

Elaine Soliven, 20191231000000

The combination of venetoclax with bortezomib and dexamethasone (Bd) significantly improves response rates in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), although survival, according to updated results of the BELLINI* study presented at ASH 2019.

ALCYONE: Adding daratumumab to VMP improves OS in NDMM

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20191227140102

The addition of daratumumab (D) to a bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone (VMP) regimen improved overall survival (OS) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who were ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), results of the phase III ALCYONE trial showed.

Epoetin alfa add-on to lenalidomide improves erythroid response in MDS

Elaine Soliven, 20191226080214

Adding epoetin alfa (EA) to lenalidomide significantly helps achieve major erythroid response (MER) in patients with erythropoietin (Epo)-refractory, lower risk non-deletion 5q (non-del(5q)) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) compared with lenalidomide alone, according to the final results of the E2905* trial presented at ASH 2019.

Sutimlimab yields sustained, rapid response in rare blood disorder

Pearl Toh, 20191223190000

Sutimlimab, a first-in-class selective inhibitor of the classical complement pathway (CP), yields rapid and sustained efficacy in patients with cold agglutinin disease (CAD), a rare autoimmune haemolytic anaemia currently with no approved treatment, according to the Cardinal* study presented at ASH 2019.

Aspirin increases bleeding in DOAC-treated patients

Audrey Abella, 20191223100000

The addition of aspirin to direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy without apparent indication resulted in more bleeding events, according to data presented at ASH 2019.

Asymptomatic DVT tied to elevated all-cause mortality risk in acutely ill patients

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20191221100102

In acutely ill medical patients, asymptomatic proximal deep-vein thrombosis (ASxDVT), as assessed via compression ultrasonography, is associated with an elevated risk of all-cause mortality, according to a post hoc analysis of the MAGELLAN* trial presented at ASH 2019.

R2 feasible for older patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Audrey Abella, 20191220100000

The combination of the immunomodulatory agent lenalidomide and the monoclonal antibody rituximab (R²) proved effective and safe in individuals ≥70 years with relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R iNHL) compared with rituximab alone, according to a post hoc analysis of the phase III AUGMENT* trial presented at ASH 2019.

E1912 extended follow-up: Sustained survival benefit with Ibrutinib + rituximab in CLL patients

Pearl Toh, 20191218190000

A combination therapy of ibrutinib + rituximab continues to yield superior survival benefits compared with standard chemoimmunotherapy for treatment-naïve patients aged ≤70 years with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), according to data from extended follow-up of the large ECOG 1912 (E1912) trial presented at ASH 2019 Meeting.

Oral azacitidine sparks hope for older AML patients

Audrey Abella, 20191218082208

CC-486, a hypomethylating agent and an oral formulation of azacitidine, demonstrated clinically significant benefits in older patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in first remission following intensive chemotherapy with or without consolidation, highlighting its potential as a new therapeutic standard in this setting, according to the results of the QUAZAR AML-001 maintenance trial presented at ASH 2019.