UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Blinatumomab plus chemotherapy significantly improved 3-year disease-free survival rates and was well tolerated in pediatric patients with standard-risk B-ALL, reducing bone marrow relapse rates and showing no significant increase in severe adverse effects.

A clinical trial combining chemotherapy with blinatumomab for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children showed a 61% reduction in relapse risk, significantly improving disease-free survival rates, marking a new standard of care in childhood cancer treatment.

Blinatumomab plus chemotherapy significantly improved 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates in pediatric patients with standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), with 96% DFS in the overall population compared to 87.9% with chemotherapy alone. The addition reduced bone marrow relapse rates and was well-tolerated, though no reduction in central nervous system relapses was observed.

Adding BLINCYTO (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), with a 3-year DFS of 96% compared to 87.9% with chemotherapy alone.

An investigational CAR T-cell therapy, bicistronic CD19/CD22, induced complete remission in 99.1% of relapsed or refractory childhood B-ALL patients, with 75.5% EFS and 93.5% OS at 1 year. CRS occurred in all patients, with 45.7% experiencing grade 3/4 events. Consolidative allogeneic stem cell transplant improved EFS but not OS. The therapy aims to address gaps in current treatments, particularly for isolated central nervous system relapses.

U.S. life expectancy to rise modestly to 80.4 years by 2050, dropping global ranking from 49th to 66th. Healthy life expectancy to fall from 80th to 108th. Major health drivers include obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Drug-related deaths expected to increase by 34% by 2050, highest globally. Universal health coverage needed to improve U.S. health standing.

Simcha Therapeutics opens two clinical studies assessing ST-067, a decoy-resistant IL-18, in acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome and multiple myeloma. Preclinical data to be presented at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting supports ST-067's potential in hematologic cancers.

Saol Therapeutics submitted an NDA to the FDA for SL1009, Sodium Dichloroacetate Oral Solution, for treating Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency (PDCD) in children, supported by Phase 3 study results.

Pregnancy challenges for women with epilepsy include medication risks like valproate's link to autism and lower IQ, and the need for dose adjustments due to faster metabolism. A study followed 298 children of women with epilepsy to age 6, finding no difference in verbal abilities compared to healthy women's children, though medication levels in the third trimester had nuanced effects. Folate supplementation was beneficial, while acetaminophen showed risks. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of various epilepsy drugs and genetic factors influencing outcomes.