(Press-News.org) Contact information: Jake Jacobson
jajacobson@cmh.edu
816-701-4097
Children's Mercy Hospital
Targeted treatment can significantly reduce relapse in children with AML leukemia
Findings from nationwide study led by Children's Mercy researcher highlighted at American Society of Hematology Meeting
The addition of a monoclonal antibody called gemtuzumab combined with standard chemotherapy has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of relapse and increase rates of disease-free survival in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Post-treatment relapse rates are a major indicator of potential for long-term survival in children with the disease.
The study (abstract #355) evaluated a total of 1,022 children averaging 10 years old at trial sites nationwide, led by Alan Gamis, MD, MPH, Associate Division Director, Section of Oncology at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. It will be highlighted in an oral presentation Monday, Dec. 9, at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting in New Orleans.
"Chemotherapy has limits. Particularly in children, increasing doses further can become too toxic for the patient while still not achieving the desired effect on the cancer," said Dr. Gamis. "This study is significant because it shows for the first time that this targeted treatment can augment the effects of chemotherapy in children and effectively reduce their risk of relapse. We found it was most effective in the patients most at risk."
Gemtuzumab was removed from the U.S. market in 2010 because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined the potential risks of the drug outweighed the potential benefits. Recent research with the compound has raised questions about whether that action may have been premature. This data supports recent findings in adults with AML that gemtuzumab reduced their risk of relapse when added to standard chemotherapy.
"This could be an important treatment option for critical patients," said Dr. Gamis. "Gemtuzumab appears to have a real impact in increasing the likelihood of long-term survival in high-risk patients."
In this study, patients were treated with gemtuzumab or a standard treatment regimen. Compared with standard regimens, the addition of gemtuzumab was associated with better disease-free survival (61 vs. 55%) and reduced relapse risk (33 vs. 41%). It did not significantly improve overall survival (74 vs. 70%).
###
Chat Live with Dr. Gamis
Dr. Gamis will discuss this study and answer questions about pediatric oncology from medical professionals, media and the public via Twitter at 1 p.m. Central (2 p.m. Eastern) on Friday, Dec. 20, through the @ChildrensMercy account. Join the conversation by including #cancerchat and @ChildrensMercy in tweets.
About Children's Mercy Hospital
Children's Mercy, located in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the nation's top pediatric medical centers. The 354-bed hospital provides care for children from birth through the age of 21, and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Children's Hospitals" and recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services. Its faculty of 600 pediatricians and researchers across more than 40 subspecialties are actively involved in clinical care, pediatric research, and educating the next generation of pediatric subspecialists. For more information about Children's Mercy and its research, visit childrensmercy.org or download our mobile phone app CMH4YOU for all phone types. For breaking news and videos, follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. END
Targeted treatment can significantly reduce relapse in children with AML leukemia
Findings from nationwide study led by Children's Mercy researcher highlighted at American Society of Hematology Meeting
2013-12-08
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
New insights into pathophysiology of sickle cell disease and thalassemia may help improve care
2013-12-08
New insights into pathophysiology of sickle cell disease and thalassemia may help improve care
(NEW ORLEANS, December 8, 2013) – New research presented today during the 55th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition ...
Novel drug regimen can improve stem cell transplantation outcomes
2013-12-08
Novel drug regimen can improve stem cell transplantation outcomes
Bortezomib (Velcade) reduces GVHD, boosts survival
NEW ORLEANS— Adding bortezomib (Velcade) to standard preventive therapy for graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) results in improved ...
Flipping a gene switch reactivates fetal hemoglobin, may reverse sickle cell disease
2013-12-08
Flipping a gene switch reactivates fetal hemoglobin, may reverse sickle cell disease
In lab studies, CHOP researchers reprogram gene expression, showing proof-of-concept for potential therapy
Hematology researchers at The Children's Hospital ...
Survey: Knowledge about HPV vaccine effectiveness lacking
2013-12-08
Survey: Knowledge about HPV vaccine effectiveness lacking
ATLANTA — Knowledge about the efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing cervical cancer was lacking in the majority of survey respondents for whom the information ...
Certain genetic alterations may explain head and neck cancer survival disparities
2013-12-08
Certain genetic alterations may explain head and neck cancer survival disparities
ATLANTA — Certain genetic alterations to the PAX gene family may be responsible for survival disparities seen between African-American and non-Latino white men ...
Genetic mutations and molecular alterations may explain racial differences in head and neck cancers
2013-12-08
Genetic mutations and molecular alterations may explain racial differences in head and neck cancers
Study helps explain why 'survival gap' persists for African-Americans
A team of scientists at Johns Hopkins and in Texas has identified a handful of genetic mutations ...
Age shouldn't limit access to transplants for MDS, study suggests
2013-12-08
Age shouldn't limit access to transplants for MDS, study suggests
NEW ORLEANS— Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who were as old as 74 fared as well with stem cell transplantation as did patients in the 60-to-65 age range, according ...
Rare cause of anemia in newborns often overlooked, research suggests
2013-12-08
Rare cause of anemia in newborns often overlooked, research suggests
Scientists recommend testing for Pearson syndrome in patients with congenital anemia
Some babies diagnosed with and treated for a bone marrow failure disorder, called Diamond Blackfan ...
T cell immunotherapy: Promising results in children and adults with leukemia
2013-12-07
T cell immunotherapy: Promising results in children and adults with leukemia
Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania harness engineered T cells to eliminate tumors in blood
Nearly 90 percent of ...
High-tech gene-therapy advances offer hope for patients with hard-to-treat blood disorders
2013-12-07
High-tech gene-therapy advances offer hope for patients with hard-to-treat blood disorders
(NEW ORLEANS, December 7, 2013) – A series of advancements in genetically engineered cell therapies demonstrate early efficacy and safety in patients ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Group sales incentives boost weak brand sales, study finds
The double-fanged adolescence of saber-toothed cats
COVID-19-induced financial hardships reveal mental health struggles
Healthy lifestyle may offset effects of life-shortening genes by 60%+
Frequent teen vaping might boost risk of toxic lead and uranium exposure
Fentanyl inhalation may cause potentially irreversible brain damage, warn doctors
OHSU patient is world’s first documented case of brain disease from fentanyl inhalation
Microarray patches safe and effective for vaccinating children, trial shows
Montana State scientists’ research on RNA editing illuminates possible lifesaving treatments for genetic diseases
UC Irvine astronomers’ simulations support dark matter theory
Rensselaer researcher publishes groundbreaking study on labor market discrimination against transgender people
What's new in transportation data at PSU?
Ten-minute breath test to monitor antibiotic concentrations
Antimicrobial resistance prevalence varies by age and sex in bloodstream infections in European hospitals
Pathogens, including multi-drug resistant “superbugs”, found on floors, ceilings and door handles of hospital toilets, UK study finds
Sour Patch adults: 1 in 8 grown-ups love extreme tartness, study shows
Vineyard Cares Business of the Year presented to Huntsman Cancer Institute
Polyamorous youth report facing stigma, heightened levels of depression
Competition from “skinny label” generics saved Medicare billions
Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine announces founding dean and location in downtown New Orleans at Benson Tower
Three Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute faculty members honored by AAAS
STRONG STAR Consortium secures $17 million in DOD research funding for brain injuries, PTSD and more
Scientists harness the wind as a tool to move objects
Long snouts protect foxes when diving headfirst in snow
Laser imaging could offer early detection for at-risk artwork
"BioBlitz" citizen science reveals urban biodiversity, guides management
Haiti study suggests early-onset heart failure is prevalent form of heart disease in low-income countries
Maps developed with artificial intelligence confirm low levels of phosphorus in Amazonian soil
Uptick in NYC transit assault rate during COVID pandemic; has not returned to pre-pandemic levels despite subway safety plan
Hongbo Chi, PhD named 2023 AAAS Fellow
[Press-News.org] Targeted treatment can significantly reduce relapse in children with AML leukemiaFindings from nationwide study led by Children's Mercy researcher highlighted at American Society of Hematology Meeting