DCI Investigators Showcase Research At ASH

December 13, 2017
By: Julie Poucher Harbin, Senior Writer, DCI

Duke Cancer Institute researchers are attending the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) 59th Annual Meeting & Exposition in Atlanta this week.

Here are some highlights from the ASH meeting:

Danielle Brander, MDUpdated Prognostic Tools Needed in the Era of Novel Therapies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) would benefit from an updated risk-stratification tool that predicts response to newer targeted therapies. In a recent study, the CLL-International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI), a standard prognostic score for patients starting chemoimmunotherapy, failed to differentiate outcomes after frontline ibrutinib.

Danielle M. Brander, MD, of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy at Duke, presented results from the study.

Q&A With Dr Thomas LeBlanc: The Value of ePROs in Oncology

Evidence-Based Oncology spoke with Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD, MA, MHS, medical oncologist, Duke University School of medicine, Durham, North Carolina, about the real-world influence of PROs. READ INTERVIEW

Misperceptions About Prognosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Highlight the Need for Better Patient-Physician Communication

Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) tend to overestimate both the risks of treatment and their likelihood of cure, according to results of a new study. These findings underscore the importance of better communication between patients and their oncologists about AML and end-of-life care.

Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD, MA, MHS, of the Duke Cancer Institute, presented results from the study. READ MORE OF THIS DUKE HEALTH “CLINICAL PRACTICE TODAY” RECAP

Transfusion Dependence May Hinder Quality End-of-Life Care in Medicare Beneficiaries With Leukemia

In older patients with leukemia, transfusion dependence (TD) is a common phenomenon that appears to impede quality end-of-life care related to hospice enrollment. Results of a new study show that although Medicare beneficiaries with TD are more likely to use hospice services than those without TD, the duration of their hospice care is substantially shorter due to delayed referral.

Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD, MA, MHS, of the Duke Cancer Institute, presented results from an observational study of patterns in hospice enrollment among older patients with leukemia. READ MORE OF THIS DUKE HEALTH “CLINICAL PRACTICE TODAY” RECAP

Novel Mechanism for Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Suggests New Treatment Paths

By uncovering a central mechanism in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), researchers have identified a potential new treatment target for this common and severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

Amy N. Suthers, PhD, presented results on behalf of the Duke research team headed by Stefanie Sarantopoulos, MD, PhD. READ MORE OF THIS DUKE HEALTH “CLINICAL PRACTICE TODAY” RECAP

Hisayuki Yao, MD, PhDResearchers Track Leukemia Cells Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

For the first time, researchers have followed the path of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells crossing the blood-brain barrier and invading the central nervous system (CNS). This discovery opens the door to new approaches for preventing CNS involvement in patients with ALL.

Hisayuki Yao, MD, PhD, of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy at Duke, presented findings on behalf of the research team led by Dorothy A. Sipkins, MD, PhD. READ MORE OF THIS DUKE HEALTH “CLINICAL PRACTICE TODAY” RECAP

Sandeep Dave, MD, MSStudy Highlights Genetic Diversity and a Potential New Treatment Target in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

In a new study classifying the genetic diversity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), researchers have identified a potentially important new treatment target for the most common form of lymphoma.

Sandeep Dave, MD, MS, of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies at Duke, presented findings from his gene profiling study.

Matthew S. McKinney, MDNext-Generation Autologous T-Cell Therapy Shows Promising Activity in Lymphoma

New findings from a phase 1 trial support the role of antibody-coupled T-cell receptor (ACTR) therapy, the latest entry in the era of T-cell therapies for patients with lymphoma. The next-generation autologous T-cell–based agent may address the limitations of current chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, including the risk of severe toxicities and primary tumor resistance.

Matthew S. McKinney, MD, of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy at Duke, presented preliminary results from the ATTCK-20-2 study. READ MORE OF THIS DUKE HEALTH “CLINICAL PRACTICE TODAY” RECAP

Anthony Sung, MDMicrotransplantation Shows Promising Results in Older Patients With High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia

New research in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) validates the use of microtransplantation from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical family donors. This novel transplant protocol maintains the anti-leukemia benefits of traditional allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) while minimizing the risk of adverse events.

Anthony D. Sung, MD, on behalf of his research team at the Duke Cancer Institute, presented preliminary results from an ongoing study. READ MORE OF THIS DUKE HEALTH “CLINICAL PRACTICE TODAY” RECAP

Keeping Patients at Home for Stem Cell Transplantation May Reduce Transplant Risks

Patients who stay in their own familiar home environments during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) maintain a healthier gut microbiome than patients who undergo traditional inpatient HSCT, according to findings from a new phase 1 study. As a result, patients who undergo home HSCT have a better quality of life and a lower risk of adverse transplant outcomes.

Anthony D. Sung, MD, on behalf of his research team at the Duke Cancer Institute, described the home HSCT protocol.

Dr. Gasparetto on Results for Selinexor and Daratumumab in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Cristina Gasparetto, MD, discusses a phase 1b study to assess the combination of selinexor and daratumumab (Darzalex) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma previously exposed to proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs.