VIDEO: Novel, multi-arm trial aims to beat AML

SAN DIEGO – A new multi-arm clinical trial aims to transform the treatment of de novo acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly blood cancer whose standard of care has remained essentially stagnant for 40 years.

Launched in October 2016, the multicenter BEAT AML Master Trial provides genomic results of bone marrow biopsies in just 7 days, according to Brian J. Druker, MD, director of the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. With results that fast, patients can quickly receive whichever therapy targets the mutation shared by most or all their leukemia cells, Dr. Druker and other researchers said at a press briefing at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

Patients who lack targetable markers will be offered investigational therapies that have shown broad activity in AML, the researchers said. The goal is for all participants to receive optimized treatment – whether or not that leads to an FDA approval, they emphasized.

Centers now participating in this trial include Memorial Sloan Kettering, Ohio State University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Oregon Health and Science University. More centers will join soon, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is sponsoring the trial. Researchers designed the trial with input from the FDA and pharmaceutical companies, they said.

In a video interview, Dr. Druker discussed key aspects of the trial and how it could advance treatment options for AML. Dr. Druker, whose work on imatinib helped pioneer precision medicine in cancer, disclosed ties to a number of pharmaceutical companies.

SAN DIEGO – A new multi-arm clinical trial aims to transform the treatment of de novo acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly blood cancer whose standard of care has remained essentially stagnant for 40 years.

Launched in October 2016, the multicenter BEAT AML Master Trial provides genomic results of bone marrow biopsies in just 7 days, according to Brian J. Druker, MD, director of the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. With results that fast, patients can quickly receive whichever therapy targets the mutation shared by most or all their leukemia cells, Dr. Druker and other researchers said at a press briefing at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

Patients who lack targetable markers will be offered investigational therapies that have shown broad activity in AML, the researchers said. The goal is for all participants to receive optimized treatment – whether or not that leads to an FDA approval, they emphasized.

Centers now participating in this trial include Memorial Sloan Kettering, Ohio State University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Oregon Health and Science University. More centers will join soon, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is sponsoring the trial. Researchers designed the trial with input from the FDA and pharmaceutical companies, they said.

In a video interview, Dr. Druker discussed key aspects of the trial and how it could advance treatment options for AML. Dr. Druker, whose work on imatinib helped pioneer precision medicine in cancer, disclosed ties to a number of pharmaceutical companies.

SAN DIEGO – A new multi-arm clinical trial aims to transform the treatment of de novo acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly blood cancer whose standard of care has remained essentially stagnant for 40 years.

Launched in October 2016, the multicenter BEAT AML Master Trial provides genomic results of bone marrow biopsies in just 7 days, according to Brian J. Druker, MD, director of the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. With results that fast, patients can quickly receive whichever therapy targets the mutation shared by most or all their leukemia cells, Dr. Druker and other researchers said at a press briefing at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

Patients who lack targetable markers will be offered investigational therapies that have shown broad activity in AML, the researchers said. The goal is for all participants to receive optimized treatment – whether or not that leads to an FDA approval, they emphasized.

Centers now participating in this trial include Memorial Sloan Kettering, Ohio State University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Oregon Health and Science University. More centers will join soon, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is sponsoring the trial. Researchers designed the trial with input from the FDA and pharmaceutical companies, they said.

In a video interview, Dr. Druker discussed key aspects of the trial and how it could advance treatment options for AML. Dr. Druker, whose work on imatinib helped pioneer precision medicine in cancer, disclosed ties to a number of pharmaceutical companies.