Talha Badar, Hematology/Oncology Specialist at Mayo Clinic, shared a post on X:
“Leukemia and Myeloid Diseases: Highlights of 2025
1. Menin Inhibitors in Acute Leukemia
- AUGMENT-101 and KOMET trials show menin inhibition works in relapsed/refractory AML with KMT2Ar/NPM1 mutations
- Led to approvals of revumenib and ziftomenib
- Marks a new class of targeted AML therapies.
2. APOLLO Phase III – High-Risk APL
Compared ATRA + ATO + low-dose idarubicin vs standard ATRA + chemo
Results:
- 2-yr EFS: 88% vs 71% (HR 0.4, P = .02)
- Molecular relapse: 1.5% vs 12.3%
- Serious AEs: 32% vs 68%
- ATO-based regimen = higher efficacy, lower toxicity → new standard
3. Intermediate-Dose Cytarabine – AML Postinduction (18-60 yrs)
- OS noninferior to high-dose cytarabine
- Lower toxicity, less myelosuppression
- Link.
4. ALL041703 Trial – Older Ph- B-ALL
- Chemo-free sequence: inotuzumab → blinatumomab
- High remission and encouraging survival
- Alternative for patients at high chemo risk
- 3 yrs fu showed OS > 50% in elderly Ph- ALL
5. SURPASS-ET Trial – High-Risk ET
- Ropeginterferon alfa‑2b > anagrelide for durable responses in HU-intolerant/resistant patients
- Favorable safety
- Effective second-line alternative
6. VERIFY – Polycythemia Vera
- Rusfertide improves response, reduces phlebotomy, and enhances Hct control
- Improves fatigue and QoL
- FDA Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track
7. Frontline Venetoclax + Azacitidine – Fit AML
- Better EFS and response rates vs intensive chemo
- More patients reach transplant
- Less toxicity, fewer hospital/ICU days
- Challenges chemo-first dogma
8. Ponatinib + Blinatumomab – Adult Ph+ ALL
- Higher remission and MRD-negative responses
- Better EFS and OS
- Lower early chemo toxicity
- Supports targeted + immunotherapy first-line
9. VERONA – Higher-Risk MDS
- Venetoclax + azacitidine did not improve OS vs azacitidine
- Exploratory trends = hypothesis-generating
- No change to venetoclax approvals
2025 Takeaway:
- Targeted and immunotherapy strategies are increasingly challenging traditional chemo in AML, ALL, ET, PV, and MDS.
- Personalized approaches based on genetics and risk continue to reshape standard care.”
More posts featuring Talha Badar.
