HealthTree Podcast for AML

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only curative option for patients battling acute myeloid leukemia. However, a significant number of patients will relapse after transplant. Innovative research and therapies are needed in order to improve outcomes in AML patients.  The drug Jakafi (ruxolitinib), a kinase inhibitor, is being explored in a current clinical trial as it may help reduce the risk of relapse. Other therapies such as pre-emptive donor lymphocyte infusions, hypomethylating agents and FLT3 inhibitors combined with donor lymphocyte infusions, CAR T-cell and CAR-NK cells are some of the options being explored. Join us live on Wednesday, October 5th at 1:30 pm EST to hear from Dr. Gabriela Hobbs with Massachusetts General Hospital who will be discussing her clinical trial using Jakafi (ruxolitinib) after allogeneic stem cell transplant as well as other therapies to reduce relapse risk. There will be time at the end of the show to ask Dr. Hobbs your questions directly! Thank you to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb.

The IDH mutation can be found in approximately 20% of adult AML cases. Isocitrate dehydrogenase isoform 1 and 2 or IDH1 and IDH2 mutations are typically found in older AML patients and have an intermediate risk profile, with IDH2 being the more common of the two. There has been the development of targeted therapy drugs, such as IDH inhibitors to address these mutations. Ivosidenib (Tibsovo) and enasidinib (Idhifa) are IDH inhibitors and were approved for use as monotherapy in relapsed/refractory AML with IDH1 and IDH2 mutations, respectively. Clinical trials have been exploring the use of combinations with other drugs such as azacitidine and venetoclax to improve efficacy and optimize outcomes. Ivosidenib (Tibsovo) was just recently approved by the FDA in May 2022 for use in combination with azacitidine for newly diagnosed patients age 75 years or older and not fit for intensive chemotherapy. In this podcast, Dr. Eytan Stein will tell us about IDH mutations, the current treatment options, as well as the recent FDA approval of ivosidenib (Tibsovo) and what that means for the treament landscape. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb.

The TP53 mutation in AML is considered to be a high risk mutation and occurs in approximately 5-10% of patients. This genetic mutation has been difficult to treat, often being chemoresistant with a poor prognosis, however, the research indicates progress is being made in this area.  Join us live on Thursday, July 14th at 11 am EST to hear from Dr. Rory Shallis with Yale New Haven Hospital who will be discussing the TP53 mutation in AML, current treatment options available, and clinical trials using novel investigational agents. In this podcast, Dr. Shallis will tell us all about the TP53 mutation and the latest research and clinical trials involving investigational agents being used to target this mutation. There will be time at the end of the show to ask Dr. Shallis your questions directly! Thank you to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb.

The FLT3 gene mutation is the most common mutation seen in acute myeloid leukemia patients. It occurs in up to 37% of adult patients with AML. FLT3 mutations have been harder to treat with poor outcomes, however, with combination therapies using targeted drugs such as FLT3 inhibitors, outcomes have greatly improved. The development of FLT3 inhibitors has progressed in recent years and there are currently two FDA-approved options - gilteritinib and midostaurin. There are also many additional FLT3 inhibitors in development such as crenolanib and quizartinib, which leads us to the question of which FLT3 inhibitor should be used for each person and when is the appropriate time to add it to treatment? Join us live on June 29th at 2 PM EST to hear from Dr. Jane Liesveld from the University of Rochester who will discuss the different FLT3 inhibitor options currently available, as well as the ones in development. She will also share research with us from a clinical trial she is leading comparing midostaurin and crenolanib when given following induction, consolidation and bone marrow transplantation. During the show, Dr. Liesveld will discuss the differences between FLT3 inhibitor options and what has been learned from previous FLT3 inhibitor trials. Come learn all about the FLT3 mutation, FLT3 inhibitors and have the opportunity to directly ask Dr. Liesveld your questions. Thank you to our episode sponsor, Abbvie.

Immunotherapy continues to be an expanding and evolving area of research for AML with many drugs in development. One drug currently being studied is IMGN632, an antibody drug conjugate, that targets CD123-positive AML cells. IMGN632 has shown promising results in relapsed/refractory patients in previous AML trials.  Join us live on June 9th at 1 PM EST to learn from Dr. Kendra Sweet, an AML expert from Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, about IMGN632, an exciting new immunotherapy investigational agent. During the show, Dr. Sweet will discuss what IMGN632 is, how it is helping AML patients and the current trial she is participating in that is testing IMGN632 alone, as monotherapy, or when used in combination with other frontline AML drugs. Learn all about immunotherapy and the role it can play when added to existing AML treatment modalities. There will be time at the end of the show to directly ask Dr. Sweet your questions!  Thank you to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb.

Immunotherapy is one of the most promising areas of cancer research. Drugs like checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal and bispecific anitbodies, antibody drug conjugates and CAR-T cell therapy are all extensively being studied in AML.  Join us live on May 26th at 11 AM EST to learn from Dr. Joseph Jurcic, an AML expert from the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University, about an exciting new immunotherapy drug in development called magrolimab which is a monoclonal antibody against CD47 and macrophage checkpoint inhibitor.  During the show, Dr. Jurcic will discuss what magrolimab is, how it is helping AML patients and two upcoming trials he will be participating in that will use magrolimab in combination with other AML drugs. Learn all about the immune system and this emerging therapy with a unique opportunity to directly ask Dr. Jurcic your questions!  Thank you to our episode sponsor, Abbvie.

About 30% of acute myeloid leukemia patients have developed a mutation in the FLT3 gene. Up until recently, this specific mutation usually resulted in poor treatment outcomes. Today, we have several drugs designed to directly target this mutation and even more progress is occurring with newer drugs and various treatment combinations in clinical trials. Dr. Kasner, an AML expert from the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, will summarize key developments and clinical trials currently underway for FLT3 positive AML. If you have a FLT3 mutation, this episode is definitely for you.  Thank you to our episode sponsor, Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

There is a tremendous amount of progress being made in AML. It was remarkable to see the significant work being done in the field of AML at the recent American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in Atlanta in December 2021.  AML expert and Director of the Program for Drug Development in Leukemia at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Eytan Stein, will share his top abstracts of 2021 that were presented by himself and his AML colleagues at the 2021 ASH conference. He will cover a breadth of topics such as treatment options in the newly diagnosed and relapsed setting, what's been learned about maintenance therapy and MRD status, how COVID-19 is affecting AML patients and the advancements of various immunotherapies. Dr. Stein will summarize topics to consider at each phase of AML in a clear and concise way. He will end by providing us his thoughts on what AML advancements and research to look out for in 2022.   Thanks to our episode sponsor, Genentech.

Progress in understanding AML and developing therapies that treat this blood cancer is occurring at an astounding pace. In this radio show, Dr. James Blachly, an AML expert from the James Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University shares a broad overview of the latest treatments for all stages of AML: precursor conditions like MDS, newly diagnosed AML and relapsed/refractory AML. Dr. Blachly will discuss combination therapies, new immunotherapies, new diagnostic technologies and new targeted treatments that are being used in the clinic today and in development in AML clinical trials. Dr. Blachly will simplify the significant work being performed all over the world by dedicated researchers who have the goal of curing all patients with AML. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Amgen.

The use of the immune system to treat patients with AML is being heavily pursued as a strategy to more effectively fight AML and give patients with relapsed or refractory disease a better chance at achieving remission or a cure. Immunotherapy in the form of allogeneic stem cell transplant has been a foundation of curative therapy in AML since the 1970s. While the effectiveness and tolerability of stem cell transplant has improved over the years, significant limitations still exist, warranting the development of new and improved immunotherapy options.  Join us live September 30th at 12 PM Central to learn from Dr. John Reagan, an AML expert from Rhode Island Hospital, about what steps you can take if you have relapsed or refractory AML. He will be discussing what immunotherapy is, it’s current use in AML and his open clinical trial looking at whether the FDA approved drug Gemtuzumab, followed by an infusion of blood cells called leukocytes from a donor, can stimulate the immune system to potentially fight AML.

Dr. Gabriel Mannis of the Stanford Cancer Institute is studying what could become the first all oral therapy for newly diagnosed AML. The combination of venetoclax and decitabine with cedazuridine (ASTX727) would provide older adults with AML and those who cannot tolerate standard intensive chemotherapy a much needed alternative treatment option. Join us live on September 13th at 3 PM Central to learn more about this exciting clinical trial directly from the researcher himself! Thank you to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb.