Leukemia

In October 2021, the FDA approved a second indication for Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel), a novel, genetically modified CAR T-cell therapy, for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In October 2021, the FDA approved Scemblix (asciminib) for patients with chronic-phase Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or CML associated with T315I mutation. Scemblix is a new type of drug that may improve outcomes over other therapies for some patients with CML.

At age 84, Inocencio Melendez-Schroder was diagnosed with stage IV leukemia and was told that chemotherapy and radiation would not be recommended. Soon after his death at home, his daughter, Barbara, was diagnosed with stage II leukemia and used her dad’s lessons to improve her prognosis.

The combination of acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab has been shown to be an active regimen in previously untreated patients with CLL.

During the first 13 months of the pandemic, COVID-19 continued to result in high hospitalization rates among patients with CLL.