Blinatumomab for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Overseen By Elias Jabbour, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Monoclonal antibodies

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, HIV, Active infection, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Breakthrough Therapy This drug has been fast-tracked for approval by the FDA given its high promise

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 30 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effectiveness of blinatumomab for individuals with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who are in remission but still have minimal residual disease. Blinatumomab, a type of immunotherapy, helps the immune system fight cancer cells and prevent their spread. Suitable patients have been in complete remission but experienced a molecular relapse after at least three months of initial treatment. The trial involves administering blinatumomab intravenously over several cycles, with possible maintenance therapy if a stem cell transplant is not pursued. As a Phase 2 trial, the research focuses on evaluating the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of participants.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot have had monoclonal antibodies therapy, radiotherapy, or certain cancer chemotherapies within 2 weeks before starting the study.

Is there any evidence suggesting that blinatumomab is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that patients generally tolerate blinatumomab well. In real-world studies, 12.5% of patients experienced serious side effects. This indicates that while some patients faced significant issues, most did not. Overall, blinatumomab is considered safe for most people. Its use in treating other cases of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia suggests it is safe enough for wider application. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?

Blinatumomab is unique because it targets a specific protein called CD19 on the surface of cancer cells, which is different from traditional chemotherapy that attacks all rapidly dividing cells. This treatment is a type of immunotherapy known as a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE), which means it helps a patient's own immune system recognize and destroy leukemia cells more effectively. Researchers are excited about blinatumomab because it offers a more targeted approach, potentially leading to fewer side effects and improved outcomes for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia compared to conventional treatments.

What evidence suggests that blinatumomab might be an effective treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

Research has shown that blinatumomab, the treatment under study in this trial, effectively treats patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Studies found that after one treatment cycle, 78% of patients achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, with no detectable leukemia cells. For children whose B-ALL returned, blinatumomab significantly improved outcomes. Specifically, in a study of 70 children, 39% achieved complete remission, with no leukemia cells found in their blood. These results suggest that blinatumomab can effectively target and reduce leukemia cells in the body. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Elias Jabbour, MD

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission but still have minimal residual disease. Eligible participants must be relatively healthy (performance status 0-2), may have Philadelphia chromosome positive ALL, and should not have other active cancers or life expectancy under 12 months. Pregnant women, HIV+ individuals, those with uncontrolled diseases/infections, or CNS involvement are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My leukemia is in remission but still shows signs of disease on a molecular level.

I can take care of myself and perform daily activities.

I have ALL with Philadelphia chromosome positive in first or second complete remission.

Exclusion Criteria

I haven't had major cancer treatments or experimental drugs in the last 2 weeks.

I haven't had monoclonal antibody therapy in the last 2 weeks.

My doctor believes I have an active and uncontrolled disease or infection.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive blinatumomab intravenously continuously on days 1-28. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for up to 5 cycles.

30 weeks

Maintenance

Patients who do not proceed with stem cell transplantation may receive blinatumomab IV maintenance therapy with one cycle every 3 months for up to 4 cycles.

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment completion.

18 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Blinatumomab

Trial Overview

The study tests blinatumomab's effectiveness on patients whose leukemia is in remission but detectable at low levels. It's a phase II trial to see if this monoclonal antibody can prevent the growth and spread of remaining cancer cells by activating the immune system.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment (blinatumomab) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients receive blinatumomab IV continuously on days 1-28. Treatment repeats every 6 weeks for up to 5 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients who do not proceed with stem cell transplantation may receive blinatumomab IV maintenance therapy with one cycle every 3 months for up to 4 cycles. Patients who remain in MRD remission for 3 months and then become MRD positive again can be retreated following the same treatment plan previously received.

Blinatumomab is already approved in European Union, United States for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Blincyto for:

• Relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL)
• High-risk first relapse BCP-ALL

Approved in United States as Blincyto for:

• Relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL)
• First or second complete remission with minimal residual disease (MRD)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Blinatumomab (Blincyto) achieved a complete remission in 33% of patients with relapsed or refractory Philadelphia chromosome-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), indicating its efficacy as a treatment option.

However, the treatment is associated with frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse effects, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of patients during therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blinatumomab (Blincyto) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [2015]

In a study of 23 adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with blinatumomab, pre-emptive intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) did not reduce the incidence of hypogammaglobulinemia or associated infections compared to a control group.

Both groups experienced similar rates of infections and immunoglobulin levels, indicating that IVIG repletion may not be effective in mitigating the risks associated with blinatumomab treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immunoglobulin repletion during blinatumomab therapy does not reduce the rate of secondary hypogammaglobulinemia and associated infectious risk. Wo, S., Levavi, H., Mascarenhas, J., et al.[2022]

Blinatumomab represents a significant advancement in immunotherapy for relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), demonstrating unprecedented efficacy by stimulating a strong T-cell response, which is a departure from traditional chemotherapy.

While blinatumomab offers promising benefits, it also presents unique immunological toxicities and complex administration requirements, necessitating careful consideration of its use compared to other emerging therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blinatumomab: enlisting serial killer T-cells in the war against hematologic malignancies. Rogala, B., Freyer, CW., Ontiveros, EP., et al.[2023]

Blinatumomab is a groundbreaking treatment for B-cell precursor relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), showing the ability to induce deep remissions in some patients, but many still do not respond or relapse, highlighting the need for improved treatment strategies.

Understanding how patients respond or resist blinatumomab could help identify those who will benefit most, and combining it with other therapies or using it earlier in treatment protocols may enhance its effectiveness and reduce relapse rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bispecific antibodies in acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy. Chitadze, G., Laqua, A., Lettau, M., et al.[2021]

Blinatumomab (Blincyto) received accelerated approval for treating B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in patients with minimal residual disease, highlighting its efficacy in maintaining remission in both adults and children.

As a bispecific CD19-directed CD3 T-cell engager, blinatumomab works by activating T-cells to target and eliminate leukemia cells, demonstrating a novel mechanism of action in cancer therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A closer look at blinatumomab. Mattison, RJ.[2018]

Blinatumomab monotherapy demonstrated a complete remission (CR) rate of 54% and a minimal residual disease (MRD) response rate of 43% in treating relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) across 18 studies involving 1,373 patients.

The treatment showed a manageable safety profile, with 80% of patients experiencing grade ≥3 adverse events, but only 7% experiencing significant neurological toxicity and 3% experiencing cytokine release syndrome, indicating that while effective, monitoring for side effects is important.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and Safety of Blinatumomab for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis. Liu, H., Xi, R., Mao, D., et al.[2023]

In a study of six children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R-ALL), blinatumomab demonstrated good short-term safety and effectiveness, with three children achieving complete remission after treatment.

Five out of six children experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS), indicating a manageable side effect profile, and the overall survival rate was 41.7% with a median survival time of 126 days, suggesting potential for further investigation in larger studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Safety and short-term effectiveness of blinatumomab in the treatment of childhood relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. Li, XL., Liu, LP., Liu, F., et al.[2023]

Blinatumomab, a bispecific T-cell engager, significantly improves overall survival in adults and children with relapsed and refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), showing a median overall survival of 7.7 months compared to 4.0 months with standard chemotherapy.

The drug achieved a complete measurable residual disease response in 78% of patients in the phase II BLAST trial, but it is associated with potential side effects, including cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity in about 15% and 65% of patients, respectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review of Blinatumomab in the Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Engaging an Old Problem With New Solutions. Halford, Z., Coalter, C., Gresham, V., et al.[2021]

Blinatumomab (Blincyto®) is an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, having received accelerated approval for its use.

A multidisciplinary collaboration among nursing, pharmacy, prescribers, and support staff is essential for the safe administration of blinatumomab, and this approach can be adapted by other institutions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Standardizing Processes for Blinatumomab Administration. DePadova, S., Howlett, C., Rivera, K.[2017]

Blinatumomab is a promising new treatment for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, showing effectiveness in targeting and destroying tumor cells by engaging both T-cells and B-cells.

While there are potential side effects like immunological toxicities and cytokine release syndrome, most patients tolerate blinatumomab well, indicating a favorable safety profile compared to traditional therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical use of blinatumomab for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults. Lee, KJ., Chow, V., Weissman, A., et al.[2022]

In a phase 2 study, blinatumomab demonstrated a significant overall survival benefit for patients with relapsed/refractory Ph(-) B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with a mean survival of 76.1 months compared to 39.8 months for historical patients receiving standard chemotherapy.

At 60 months, 12.6% of patients treated with blinatumomab were still alive, which is more than double the 5.4% survival rate of historical controls, indicating its potential as a more effective treatment option.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Estimating Long-Term Survival of Adults with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative Relapsed/Refractory B-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated with Blinatumomab Using Historical Data. Barlev, A., Lin, VW., Katz, A., et al.[2021]

Blinatumomab is a first-in-class bispecific T-cell engager that effectively targets both CD19 on B-cells and CD3 on T-cells, showing a high response rate of 43% for complete remission in patients with relapsed or refractory precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

Patients treated with blinatumomab had a median overall survival of 6.1 months and 60% achieved minimal residual disease negativity, although common side effects included fever, neurological events, and anemia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blinatumomab: A First-in-Class Bispecific T-Cell Engager for Precursor B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Buie, LW., Pecoraro, JJ., Horvat, TZ., et al.[2018]

Blinatumomab shows a favorable safety profile in pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), associated with a lower risk of serious adverse events, febrile neutropenia, and infections compared to traditional chemotherapy.

While blinatumomab does not significantly increase the risk of cytokine release syndrome or seizures, it is linked to a higher risk of encephalopathy, indicating the need for careful monitoring during treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The safety of blinatumomab in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Marrapodi, MM., Mascolo, A., di Mauro, G., et al.[2022]

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Additionally, 3-year relapse-free survival was 80% for the blinatumomab arm versus 64% for chemotherapy alone (HR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.32–0.87]; P = ...