The addition of blinatumomab to chemotherapy significantly improved 3-year disease-free survival in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed, standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). A phase 3 trial showed a 61% improvement in disease-free survival when blinatumomab was added to standard treatments. The study included patients aged 1 to 10 years and with a specific white blood cell count. Significant reductions in bone marrow relapse were observed, but not in central nervous system relapse. Challenges include cost, drug administration, and side effects. The US FDA approved blinatumomab for CD19-positive B-ALL patients, and easier delivery methods are being developed.
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With Chemo, Blinatumomab Boosts DFS in Pediatric B-ALL
