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Dr Walker Discusses Chemo Plus Oblimersen in Patients With AML
In an interview with Oncology Learning Network, Alison R. Walker, MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, discusses the background, findings, and clinical significance of a phase 3 randomization trial on chemotherapy with or without oblimersen in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
What existing data led you and your co-investigators to conduct this research?
There has always been interest in targeting the apoptotic pathway in cancer as a way to target cellular growth and proliferation.
Please briefly describe your study and its findings. Were any of the outcomes particularly surprising?
This was a randomized phase 3 study comparing the addition of the antisense molecule oblimersen to standard of care induction with cytarabine and daunorubicin in older patients with newly diagnosed AML.
A total of 506 patients were enrolled. No differences in toxicity were observed between arms.
While the regimen was well tolerated, there was no improvement in remission rates or overall survival (OS) in those who received the experimental agent.
We conclude that the addition of oblimersen to chemotherapy failed to improve outcomes of older AML patients.
What are the possible real-world applications of these findings in clinical practice?
There has not been further development of this agent in patients with AML.
It is uncertain as to whether anti-sense therapy in combination with targeted small molecules such as venetoclax would be of benefit in this patient population.
Do you and your co-investigators intend to expand upon this research? If so, what are/will be your next steps?
There is no further development planned.
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