European Hematology Association 2021 Virtual Congress (EHA 2021)

Fixed-duration first-line ibrutinib-venetoclax improves PFS over chlorambucil-obinutuzumab for CLL

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210811180001

Fixed-duration ibrutinib plus venetoclax (I+V) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) over chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (Clb+O) in the first-line treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), primary results of the phase III GLOW trial showed.

Voxelotor improves Hb levels, haemolysis markers in younger children with SCD

Elaine Soliven, 20210728000000

The use of voxelotor weight-based dosing equivalent to 1,500 mg appears to increase haemoglobin (Hb) levels and decrease clinical markers of haemolysis in patients aged 4–11 years with sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a study presented at EHA 2021.

Luspatercept scores in nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia

Elvira Manzano, 20210726114000

The first-in-class erythroid maturation agent, luspatercept, improved anaemia in adults with nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT) in the phase II BEYOND study reported at EHA 2021.

Zanubrutinib demos improved response over ibrutinib in R/R CLL/SLL

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210720180001

Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) may have a greater response to zanubrutinib than ibrutinib as well as better progression-free survival (PFS), according to the first interim analysis results of the ALPINE trial.

Mitapivat shows potential for PK deficiency

Audrey Abella, 20210712100000

Mitapivat, an investigational, first-in-class, oral, allosteric pyruvate kinase R (PKR) activator, had clinically meaningful benefit for individuals with PK deficiency regardless of transfusion status, according to the phase III ACTIVATE trials presented at EHA 2021.

D-Rd triumphs over Rd as first-line treatment for transplant-ineligible NDMM

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210707180001

Results from the phase III MAIA study showed that the triplet regimen of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-Rd) improved overall survival (OS) compared with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd) in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).

Isatuximab-Kd shows consistent efficacy across RMM patient subgroups

Audrey Abella, 20210707100000

Findings from subgroup analyses of the IKEMA trial presented at EHA 2021 aligned with those observed in the overall analysis, further validating the benefits of the isatuximab + carfilzomib-dexamethasone (Isa-Kd) combination regimen for relapsed multiple myeloma (RMM).

5-year ECHELON-1 updates show durable benefits of brentuximab vedotin-chemo for cHL

Audrey Abella, 20210705100000

In the 5-year updated results of the phase III ECHELON-1 study presented at EHA 2021, a combination of the CD30-directed ADC* brentuximab vedotin and chemotherapy (CT) continued to show potential for individuals with previously untreated stage III/IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).

Lymphoma patients at high risk of persistent COVID-19

Lymphoma patients at high risk of long COVID-19

Pearl Toh, 20210703150000

Patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma hospitalized for COVID-19 are at an increased risk of developing persistent COVID-19 and death, according to a retrospective study presented at EHA 2021.

Acalabrutinib maintains efficacy over 4 years in treatment-naïve CLL

Pearl Toh, 20210630140100

Acalabrutinib with or without obinutuzumab maintains significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit over the chemoimmunotherapy combination of obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil (O + Clb) through 4 years in treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients, according to the phase III ELEVATE-TN study presented at EHA 2021.