Blinatumomab improves outcomes in adult MRD-negative BCP-ALL

Adults with B cell-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL) negative for minimal residual disease (MRD) after induction chemotherapy have a superior prognosis relative to those with MRD⁺ status, although many will eventually have disease relapse. Now, data from the phase III E1910 trial demonstrate that addition of the CD19 × CD3 bispecific T cell engager blinatumomab to consolidation chemotherapy improves overall survival (OS) in this setting.

Patients received standard-of-care induction chemotherapy. Those with an MRD^– complete response (<0.01% leukaemic cells in bone marrow; 224 of 488 patients) were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive standard-of-care consolidation chemotherapy with or without blinatumomab, followed by standard maintenance therapy in both groups. OS in patients with MRD^– disease was the primary end point.