The emerging use of chemotherapy-free regimens in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Before the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the outcome of patients with a diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia was dismal. Combinations of TKIs and chemotherapy improved survival rates, but allogeneic stem cell transplant was still relied on to avoid relapse in most cases. More recently, the chemotherapy-free combination of blinatumomab plus newer-generation TKIs has shown favorable results and may eliminate the need for allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Duration of cytopenias with concomitant venetoclax and azole antifungals in acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: Venetoclax (VEN) combined with the hypomethylating agent (HMA) azacitidine improves survival in patients aged ≥75 years with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). VEN and HMA treatment can result in prolonged and often profound neutropenia, and this warrants antifungal prophylaxis. Azole antifungals inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4, the primary enzyme responsible for VEN metabolism; this results in VEN dose reductions for each concomitant antifungal.