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The prognosis of patients with chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has significantly improved due to the development of potent BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, approximately 15‒20% of patients ultimately experience treatment failure due to resistance or intolerance to TKI therapy. As the prognosis of patients in whom multiple TKIs fail remains poor, an optimal therapeutic approach is required to treat the condition. Asciminib, an allosteric inhibitor that targets ABL1 myristoyl pocket, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in patients with CP-CML resistant or intolerant to ≥2 prior TKIs or those with T315I mutation. In a phase 1 trial, asciminib monotherapy showed a relatively favorable safety profile and potent efficacy in patients with and without the T315I mutation. In a subsequent phase 3 trial, asciminib treatment was associated with a significantly higher major molecular response rate and lower discontinuation rate than bosutinib in patients with CP-CML for whom two previous TKIs failed. Several clinical trials are being performed in various clinical settings to evaluate the role of asciminib as a frontline treatment for newly diagnosed CP-CML, either as a single agent or in combination with other TKIs as a second-line or additive treatment to improve treatment-free or deep remission. This review summarizes the incidence, available therapies, and outcomes of patients with CP-CML who experienced treatment failure, the mechanism of action, preclinical and clinical data, and ongoing trials for asciminib.
T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia is characterized by clonal expansion of cytotoxic T cells resulting in cytopenia. The proliferation of clonal LGLs is caused by prolonged antigenic stimulation, which leads to apoptotic dysregulation owing mainly to the constitutive activation of survival pathways, notably the JAK/STAT pathway. Understanding how leukemic T-LGL persists can aid in the development of future immunosuppressive therapies. In this review, we summarize the diagnosis and current standard of therapy for T-LGL leukemia, as well as recent advances in clinical trials.
Transfusion support for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an essential part of supportive care, and compatible blood should be transfused into recipients. As leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching is considered first and as the blood group does not impede HSCT, major, minor, bidirectional, and RhD incompatibilities occur that might hinder transfusion and cause adverse events. Leukocyte reduction in blood products is frequently used, and irradiation should be performed for blood products, except for plasma. To mitigate incompatibility and adverse events, local transfusion guidelines, hospital transfusion committees, and patient management should be considered.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy presents a revolutionary advancement in personalized cancer treatment. During the production process, the patient's own T-cells are genetically engineered to express a synthetic receptor that binds to a tumor antigen. CAR T-cells are then expanded for clinical use and infused back into the patient's body to attack cancer cells. Although CAR T-cell therapy is considered a major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, it is not without limitations. In this review, we discuss the barriers to effective CAR T-cell therapy in Korea.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells; these include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). MPNs are inflammatory cancers, wherein the malignant clone generates cytokines that sustain the inflammatory drive in a self-perpetuating vicious cycle. The course of MPNs follows a biological continuum, that is, from early cancer stages (ET/PV) to advanced myelofibrosis as well as impending leukemic transformation. MPN-related symptoms, e.g., fatigue, general weakness, and itching, are caused by inflammatory cytokines. Thrombosis and bleeding are also exacerbated by inflammatory cytokines in patients with MPN. Until recently, the primary objective of ET and PV therapy was to increase survival rates by preventing thrombosis. However, several medications have recently demonstrated the ability to modify the course of the disease; symptom relief is expected for most patients. In addition, there is increasing interest in the active treatment of patients at low risk with PV and ET. This review focuses on the ET/PV treatment strategies as well as novel treatment options for clinical development.
With impressive clinical advancements in immune effector cell therapies targeting CD19, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged as a new paradigm for treating relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies. Currently, three second-generation CAR T-cell therapies have been approved, of which only tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) is approved for treating children and young adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with durable remission rates of approximately 60‒90%. Although CAR T-cell therapies are considered to treat refractory B-ALL, they are associated with unique toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). The severity of CAR T-cell therapy toxicities can vary according to several clinical factors. In rare cases, severe CRS can progress to a fulminant hyperinflammatory syndrome known as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which has a poor prognosis. The first-line treatments for CRS/ICANS include tocilizumab and corticosteroids. When severe CAR T-cell toxicity is resistant to first-line treatment, an additional approach is required to manage the persistent inflammation. In addition to CRS/ICANS, CAR T-cell therapy can cause early and delayed hematological toxicity, which can predispose patients to severe infections. The use of growth factors and anti-infective prophylaxis should follow institutional guidelines according to patient-specific risk factors. This review provides a thorough summary of updated practical recommendations for managing acute and delayed adverse effects following anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in adults and children.