Key takeaways The relapse of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) occurs in 15% of the affected children after initial chemotherapy. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is done in children with a high-risk first-relapse B-ALL to prevent further recurrence. A CD3/CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engager molecule, blinatumomab, directs T cells to lyse CD19-expressing B cells. The anti-leukemic activity of blinatumomab is shown in phase 1 and 2 studies conducted in children with refractory or relapsed B-ALL.
Blinatumomab treatment has also demonstrated a high rate of complete minimal residual B-ALL in children and adults. This Journal Watch discusses the study “ Effect of Blinatumomab Vs. Chemotherapy on Event-free Survival Among Children with High-risk First-relapse B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial ” from JAMA , 2021. Authors : Franco…
