News and Treatment Updates
Here's where you'll find a regularly updated, broad range of articles written by the AAMDSIF team, allied health organizations and news organizations. By staying well-informed, patients and families are practicing a form of self-support that will help them be more effective self-advocates when engaging with health care providers.
Unmet Needs of Individuals Living with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Perspectives from the Global Patient Advocacy Community
Originally Published: 05/03/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
In 2019, an in-depth Global Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Patient Advocacy Roundtable was held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The goal of this roundtable, which was sponsored by Takeda Oncology, was to provide patient advocates with an opportunity to share their perspectives on the challenges faced by individuals living with higher-risk MDS.
This publication shares the insights of patient advocacy community leaders regarding individuals with higher-risk MDS, including their advice for patients to support shared decision-making, patient education, and patient empowerment approaches. The...
Integration of Cellular Therapy Jumpstarts Research Efforts in Acute Leukemias
Originally Published: 04/27/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
With the goal of capitalizing on the efficacy observed with cellular therapies in acute leukemias, ongoing research efforts are underway to address unanswered questions regarding the role of transplant in conjunction with cellular therapy, optimal toxicity management, antigen escape, and methods to overcome myelosuppression and immunosuppression in these diseases, said Michael Grunwald, MD.
“Our ability to use cellular therapies to treat acute leukemias is expanding,” said Grunwald. “We have new non-transplant therapies coming along, some [of which] might be used as adjuncts to transplant...
Long‐term Results of Low‐intensity Chemotherapy with Clofarabine or Cladribine Combined with Low‐Dose Cytarabine Alternating with Decitabine in Older Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Originally Published: 04/26/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
Abstract
Background
The treatment of older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using intensive chemotherapy is associated with treatment intolerance and poor survival. We evaluated two new lower‐intensity regimens with clofarabine (n=119) or cladribine (n=129) combined with low‐dose cytarabine (LDAC) alternating with decitabine.
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RARA Agonist Plus Azacitidine Shows Encouraging Activity in Relapsed/Refractory AML
Originally Published: 04/25/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
The novel agentSY-1425 combined with azacitidine appears to be active in retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) superenhancer–positive newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to the results of a phase II trial presented at the 2020 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition.1 SY-1425 is targeted to the RARA gene, a novel target in AML.
“There are hints here that this therapy may find a place with the right patient population who has relapsed and refractory AML,” said lead author Eytan M. Stein, MD, a hematologist/oncologist...
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Prevalent in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Originally Published: 04/21/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia can experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) one month after receiving intensive chemotherapy and may benefit from supportive approach-oriented coping interventions, according to data published in Cancer.
Previously, there have been limited data regarding PTSD symptoms among patients with acute myeloid leukemia, which is a life-threatening illness. In an interview with CURE®, Dr. Hermioni L. Amonoo, lead author on this study and staff physician in the department of psychological oncology and palliative care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,...
Isoform-specific and signaling-dependent propagation of acute myeloid leukemia by Wilms tumor 1
Originally Published: 04/20/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
Highlights
WT1 is an important factor for AML maintenance in multiple subtypes
WT1 acts in an isoform- and AML-subtype-specific fashion
WT1 binding to chromatin is in balance with early growth response factors
Upregulation of expression is part of an interlinked oncogenic signaling network
Summary
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is caused by recurrent mutations in members of the gene regulatory and signaling machinery that control hematopoietic progenitor cell growth and differentiation. Here, we show that the transcription factor WT1 forms a major node in the rewired mutation-specific gene...
What's New? Foundation Update Newsletter April 2021
Originally Published: 04/20/2021
Article Source: Foundation Update
How Mindfulness Meditation Can Help Cancer Survivors Cope with Stress
Originally Published: 04/15/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
Clinical psychologist Jessica Pieczynski, PhD, offers insights into how practicing mindfulness techniques can help cancer survivors manage stress during the pandemic, and beyond.
It’s possible that 2020 will go down in history as the year of Murphy’s Law. The whole “what can go wrong, will go wrong” adage seems fitting for many as they navigate the economic, social and familial impact of the pandemic and cultural movements. Increased stress during these challenging times is the norm for even the healthiest among us.
For cancer survivors, however, the increased stress and complexities of...
The development and clinical use of oral hypomethylating agents in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes: dawn of the total oral therapy era
Originally Published: 04/14/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
Abstract
Introduction
Intravenous and subcutaneous hypomethylating agents have held a key role in myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia treatment. Following the approval of the cedazuridine/decitabine combination, ASTX727, as well as development of an oral formulation of azacitidine, CC-486, in the USA in 2020, these agents could gradually replace their injectable counterparts.
Areas covered
ASTX727 is approved for the treatment of adult patients with intermediate 1 or high risk MDS as well as those with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia based on...
HLA Haploidentical versus Matched Unrelated Donor Transplants with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide based prophylaxis
Originally Published: 04/13/2021
Article Source: External Web Content
Key Points
Higher mortality with reduced intensity regimens after haploidentical relative compared to matched unrelated donor transplantation
Higher grade III-IV acute graft versus host disease after haploidentical relative compared to matched unrelated donor transplantation
Post transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis has allowed haploidentical (Haplo) transplantation to be performed with results similar to that after matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplantation with traditional prophylaxis. The relative value of transplantation with MUD versus Haplo...