Universities of Cologne

Year in Review: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

5 months ago

This year marked significant advancements in the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), including the first FDA approval of CAR T-cell therapy for CLL, promising treatments for Richter transformation, and the exploration of triplet regimens. Additionally, updates on drug pricing and labeling changes were noted, alongside new data on treatment efficacy and safety.

Venetoclax Enhances CAR T-Cell Therapy Response in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

5 months ago

• Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center research elucidates how venetoclax synergizes with CAR T-cell therapy to combat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). • Venetoclax strengthens cancer-killing T lymphocytes, improving their function and fitness when combined with CAR T-cell therapy. • The study involved multiomic analysis of blood samples from 14 CLL patients, revealing specific changes in immune cells after venetoclax treatment. • Findings suggest venetoclax could repair the immune system in CLL patients, potentially leading to more effective combination treatments.

Asunercept Shows Promise in Reducing Mortality and Accelerating Recovery in Severe COVID-19

6 months ago

• A Phase 2 clinical trial reveals that asunercept, a FasL inhibitor, significantly accelerates recovery in patients with severe COVID-19, reducing the average recovery time from 13 to 8 days. • The study also indicates a roughly 20% reduction in mortality among patients treated with asunercept at 100mg and 400mg doses compared to the standard of care. • Researchers suggest that targeting the host's immune overreaction with FasL inhibitors like asunercept could be effective against future SARS-CoV-2 variants and other emerging respiratory RNA viruses. • The drug was found to be safe and well-tolerated, suggesting a potential therapeutic value in managing severe COVID-19 cases and alleviating healthcare system burden.

Chemo-Free Triplet Therapy Shows Promise in Richter Transformation

8 months ago

• A phase II trial (MOLTO) found that a chemotherapy-free regimen of atezolizumab, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab yielded a 67.9% overall response rate in patients with Richter transformation. • The triplet therapy demonstrated durable remissions and prolonged survival, suggesting it could become a potential first-line treatment for this aggressive lymphoma variant. • The study is particularly relevant as the regimen doesn't rely on BTK inhibitors, offering an option for patients previously treated with BCL-2 inhibitors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. • Further research is needed to identify biomarkers that can predict which patients will benefit most from this treatment approach.

MATTERHORN Trial: TEER Non-Inferior to Surgery for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation

9 months ago

• The MATTERHORN trial demonstrated that transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is non-inferior to surgery in treating secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) at one year. • Both TEER and surgery effectively improved MR, with a similar rate of MR grade ≤1 observed in both groups after one year, indicating comparable efficacy. • TEER showed a superior safety profile compared to surgery, with significantly fewer patients experiencing the primary safety endpoint at 30 days. • The findings suggest TEER could be a valuable alternative for high-risk patients with secondary MR, potentially influencing future treatment guidelines.

Long-term efficacy and safety of iptacopan in PNH with anaemia

a year ago

The article discusses the long-term efficacy and safety of iptacopan, a treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) with anaemia, as presented by Prof. Antonio Risitano from the University of Naples, Italy.