Leukemia News
Ibrutinib Active In Untreated, Relapsed and Unresponsive CLL (June 3, 2013)The drug ibrutinib was well tolerated and highly effective in patients with untreated, relapsed and unresponsive chronic lymphocytic leukemia—leading to large reductions in tumor burden, according to the results of a study presented at the American... Continue Reading
Following Lifestyle Recommendations Reduces Risk of Cancer Death (May 15, 2013)People who follow the diet and lifestyle recommendations laid out by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) have a 34 percent reduced risk of dying from several diseases and specifically, a 20 percent... Continue Reading
Cancer Deaths on the Decline (February 11, 2013)Overall cancer death rates continue to decline in both men and women and across major ethnic and racial groups, according to the annual Status of Cancer report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. What’s more—cancer incidence... Continue Reading
CPX-351 Highly Active in Older Patients with AML (January 18, 2013)CPX-351 is highly active in all patient subgroups and produced the greatest benefits in response rate and reduction in 60-day mortality compared to standard therapy in older patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia and adverse cytogenetics, according... Continue Reading
Combination of Revlimid and Vidaza Beneficial in Untreated Elderly Patients with AML (January 14, 2013)The sequential combination of Vidaza® (azacitidine) and Revlimid® (lenalidomide) shows evidence of clinical activity as initial therapy for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia, according to the results of a phase II study presented at the 54th... Continue Reading
Tasigna Superior to Gleevec for Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive CML (December 21, 2012)Tasigna® (nilotinib) is superior to Gleevec® (imatinib) for the treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), according to the results of two studies presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American... Continue Reading
Quizartinib Shows Promise in Treatment-Resistant AML (December 19, 2012)The targeted agent quizartinib showed promise in the treatment of a subset of patients with treatment-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to the results of a study presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology... Continue Reading
Blinatumomab Prolongs Survival in Relapsed/Refractory Adult ALL (December 14, 2012)Blinatumomab induces high complete remission rates and prolongs survival in adult patients with relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALL), according to the results of a study presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American... Continue Reading
Synribo Approved for CML (November 8, 2012)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) to treat adults with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a blood and bone marrow disease that usually affects older adults. Each year in the United States, approximately... Continue Reading
Marqibo Approved for Treatment of Philadelphia-Negative ALL (August 17, 2012)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Marqibo® (vincristine sulfate liposome injection) to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) whose leukemia has returned or progressed following... Continue Reading
Latest Leukemia News By Stage
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Iclusig Approved for CML and ALL (January 4, 2013)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Iclusig™ (ponatinib) to treat adults with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), two rare blood and bone marrow diseases. Chronic... Continue Reading
Blinatumomab Prolongs Survival in Relapsed/Refractory Adult ALL (December 14, 2012)Blinatumomab induces high complete remission rates and prolongs survival in adult patients with relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALL), according to the results of a study presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American... Continue Reading
Marqibo Approved for Treatment of Philadelphia-Negative ALL (August 17, 2012)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Marqibo® (vincristine sulfate liposome injection) to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) whose leukemia has returned or progressed following... Continue Reading
One Subset of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is Best Treated with Chemotherapy (April 20, 2012)A subset of young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who fail to achieve remission after the initial weeks of intense chemotherapy known as induction therapy appear to have better outcomes with additional chemotherapy rather than bone marrow... Continue Reading
Survival Continues to Improve Among Children and Adolescents with ALL (March 15, 2012)Between 1990 and 2005, five-year survival for children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) increased from 83.7 percent to 90.4 percent. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. ALL—a fast-growing cancer of... Continue Reading
More Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaAcute Myeloid Leukemia
CPX-351 Highly Active in Older Patients with AML (January 18, 2013)
CPX-351 is highly active in all patient subgroups and produced the greatest benefits in response rate and reduction in 60-day mortality compared to standard therapy in older patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia and adverse cytogenetics, according... Continue Reading
Combination of Revlimid and Vidaza Beneficial in Untreated Elderly Patients with AML (January 14, 2013)The sequential combination of Vidaza® (azacitidine) and Revlimid® (lenalidomide) shows evidence of clinical activity as initial therapy for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia, according to the results of a phase II study presented at the 54th... Continue Reading
Quizartinib Shows Promise in Treatment-Resistant AML (December 19, 2012)The targeted agent quizartinib showed promise in the treatment of a subset of patients with treatment-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to the results of a study presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology... Continue Reading
Low Doses of Mylotarg May Improve Survival in Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (May 2, 2012)Patients age 50-70 with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are treated with Mylotarg® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) plus standard chemotherapy appear to live longer than those who are treated with standard chemotherapy alone, according to... Continue Reading
Gene Mutations Linked with AML Outcome (March 28, 2012)Among patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), those with certain genetic changes may benefit from high-dose induction chemotherapy. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the bone... Continue Reading
More Acute Myeloid LeukemiaAcute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Many Patients with “Chemo Brain” Recover within Five Years (May 23, 2011)
A study of “chemo brain”—the foggy thinking and forgetfulness that patients may experience after chemotherapy—suggests that the condition improves substantially over time for a majority of patients. For some patients, however, symptoms may persist... Continue Reading
More Acute Promyelocytic LeukemiaAdult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Many Patients with “Chemo Brain” Recover within Five Years (May 23, 2011)
A study of “chemo brain”—the foggy thinking and forgetfulness that patients may experience after chemotherapy—suggests that the condition improves substantially over time for a majority of patients. For some patients, however, symptoms may persist... Continue Reading
More Adult Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaChildhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
One Subset of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is Best Treated with Chemotherapy (April 20, 2012)
A subset of young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who fail to achieve remission after the initial weeks of intense chemotherapy known as induction therapy appear to have better outcomes with additional chemotherapy rather than bone marrow... Continue Reading
Many Patients with “Chemo Brain” Recover within Five Years (May 23, 2011)A study of “chemo brain”—the foggy thinking and forgetfulness that patients may experience after chemotherapy—suggests that the condition improves substantially over time for a majority of patients. For some patients, however, symptoms may persist... Continue Reading
More Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaChronic Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Ibrutinib Active In Untreated, Relapsed and Unresponsive CLL (June 3, 2013)
The drug ibrutinib was well tolerated and highly effective in patients with untreated, relapsed and unresponsive chronic lymphocytic leukemia—leading to large reductions in tumor burden, according to the results of a study presented at the American... Continue Reading
Lymphoma Patients and Transplant Recipients at Higher Risk of Melanoma (October 11, 2012)Individuals with lymphoma or those who have undergone organ transplants are far more likely than the average person to develop—and die from—melanoma, according to the results of a review published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Melanoma is a potentially... Continue Reading
Combination of Campath and Fludarabine Provides Benefit in CLL (February 16, 2012)Among people with previously treated, relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), treatment with a combination of Campath® (alemtuzumab) and fludarabine results in better outcomes than treatment with fludarabine alone. These results were... Continue Reading
Many Patients with “Chemo Brain” Recover within Five Years (May 23, 2011)A study of “chemo brain”—the foggy thinking and forgetfulness that patients may experience after chemotherapy—suggests that the condition improves substantially over time for a majority of patients. For some patients, however, symptoms may persist... Continue Reading
Survivors of Some Childhood Cancers May Face Cognitive Impairment (May 18, 2010)Survivors of non-central nervous system (CNS) childhood cancers reported a statistically and clinically significantly higher rate of neurocognitive impairment than their cancer-free siblings, according to the results of a study published in the Journal... Continue Reading
More Chronic Lymphoblastic LeukemiaChronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Many Patients with “Chemo Brain” Recover within Five Years (May 23, 2011)
A study of “chemo brain”—the foggy thinking and forgetfulness that patients may experience after chemotherapy—suggests that the condition improves substantially over time for a majority of patients. For some patients, however, symptoms may persist... Continue Reading
Fludara plus Rituxan Extends Survival in CLL (April 6, 2010)Patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia experienced prolonged survival when treated with Fludara® (fludarabine) plus Rituxan® (rituximab) (delivered either concurrently or sequentially), according to the results of a study presented... Continue Reading
Rituxan Approved for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (February 24, 2010)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approval of Rituxan® (rituximab) to include the treatment of certain patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia with... Continue Reading
Arzerra™ Approved for Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (October 28, 2009)The targeted therapy Arzerra™ (ofatumumab) has been granted accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is refractory to Fludara® (fludarabine) and Campath® (alemtuzumab). Chronic... Continue Reading
Abnormal Cells Identified in Blood Years Before Diagnosis of CLL (March 9, 2009)According to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) appears to be preceded by a condition known as monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common... Continue Reading
More Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaChronic Myeloid Leukemia
Iclusig Approved for CML and ALL (January 4, 2013)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Iclusig™ (ponatinib) to treat adults with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), two rare blood and bone marrow diseases. Chronic... Continue Reading
Tasigna Superior to Gleevec for Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive CML (December 21, 2012)Tasigna® (nilotinib) is superior to Gleevec® (imatinib) for the treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), according to the results of two studies presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American... Continue Reading
Synribo Approved for CML (November 8, 2012)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) to treat adults with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a blood and bone marrow disease that usually affects older adults. Each year in the United States, approximately... Continue Reading
Bosulif Approved for CML (September 26, 2012)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bosulif® (bosutinib) to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a blood and bone marrow disease that usually affects older adults. The drug is intended for patients with chronic, accelerated... Continue Reading
Ponatinib Produces High Response Rates in CML (August 13, 2012)Ponatinib, an investigational targeted agent, appears to be significantly effective in treatment-refractory chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and produces early and lasting responses, according to the preliminary results of a study presented at the 2012... Continue Reading
More Chronic Myeloid LeukemiaHairy Cell Leukemia
Many Patients with “Chemo Brain” Recover within Five Years (May 23, 2011)
A study of “chemo brain”—the foggy thinking and forgetfulness that patients may experience after chemotherapy—suggests that the condition improves substantially over time for a majority of patients. For some patients, however, symptoms may persist... Continue Reading
More Hairy Cell LeukemiaScreening/Prevention Leukemia
Childhood CT Scans Linked to Leukemia and Brain Cancer Later in Life (June 20, 2012)
Children and young adults who undergo multiple computed tomography (CT) scans have an increased risk of leukemia and brain tumors in the decade following their first scan, according to the results of a study published in The Lancet. CT scans are a common... Continue Reading
Aspirin Continues to Look Promising for Cancer Prevention (March 26, 2012)A combined analysis of 51 randomized trials found that daily aspirin use reduces the risk of new cancer diagnoses as well as the risk of cancer death. These results were published in The Lancet. A growing body of evidence suggests that aspirin may reduce... Continue Reading
Greater Cancer Risk Among Taller Women (July 28, 2011)Taller women may have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. Overall, cancer risk increases by 16% for every 4-inch increase in height. These findings were recently reported in Lancet Oncology. Greater insight into height and cancer risk may... Continue Reading
Stay on Top of Your Family History of Cancer (July 15, 2011)People who are at high risk of cancer as a result of their family history may be advised to undergo earlier or more intensive cancer screening. Because family history of cancer can change over time, it’s important to update this information periodically... Continue Reading
Many Patients with “Chemo Brain” Recover within Five Years (May 23, 2011)A study of “chemo brain”—the foggy thinking and forgetfulness that patients may experience after chemotherapy—suggests that the condition improves substantially over time for a majority of patients. For some patients, however, symptoms may persist... Continue Reading
More Screening/Prevention Leukemia