Publications by authors named "Alessandra Ferrajoli"

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent leukemia in the Western world, predominantly affecting older individuals. Advances in targeted therapies have extended survival, shifting the clinical focus toward the management of chronic health challenges. Patients with CLL often experience immune dysfunction due to both the disease and its treatments, resulting in an increased susceptibility to infections and second primary malignancies.

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Patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) face unique challenges in managing lymphoid malignancies due to heightened sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, requiring alternative treatment strategies. This report presents three cases demonstrating the successful integration of targeted therapies: ibrutinib for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, alemtuzumab for T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, and venetoclax for early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These cases highlight the potential of targeted agents to improve outcomes while minimizing toxicity.

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Pirtobrutinib is a reversible Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that has shown efficacy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in BRUIN trial. These patients were previously treated with covalent BTK inhibitor (cBTKi) and either discontinued cBTKi or had disease progression during therapy. As a result, some patients had wild-type BTK while others had mutant BTK (mostly C481 site where cBTKi binds).

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Acalabrutinib is a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We present results from ELEVATE-TN (NCT02475681) after median follow-up of 74.5 months.

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Intensive chemotherapy remains the standard for newly diagnosed (ND) acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, relapse risk remains high. Additionally, most patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) AML have poor outcomes. We report the long-term experience of 138 patients, 77 ND and 61 RR, treated with FLAG-IDA in combination with venetoclax.

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Adding inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) to hyper-CVAD and blinatumomab may improve outcomes in newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Patients with newly diagnosed B-ALL received up to four cycles of hyper-CVAD followed by four cycles of blinatumomab. Beginning with patient #39, InO 0.

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Background: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) combinations have produced excellent outcomes in patients with standard-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Herein, the authors update their long-term results with the regimen of ATO-ATRA and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) in standard-risk and high-risk APL.

Methods: This was a phase 2 trial of patients with newly diagnosed APL.

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Deuterated ("heavy") water labeling in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) demonstrates that IGHV unmutated and ZAP-70+ patients have higher blood and tissue CLL death rates on ibrutinib therapy, resulting in lower measurable residual disease levels with long-term ibrutinib treatment. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.

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Optimal frontline use of active agents in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL) is prudent to improve outcomes. We report the long-term follow-up of the phase 2 trial of HyperCVAD with nelarabine and pegylated asparaginase (Original cohort). In the latest protocol iteration venetoclax was added to the induction/consolidation regimen (Venetoclax cohort).

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The ALPINE trial established the superiority of zanubrutinib over ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma; here, we present data from the final comparative analysis with extended follow-up. Overall, 652 patients received zanubrutinib (n = 327) or ibrutinib (n = 325). At an overall median follow-up of 42.

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Purpose: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) during allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) leads to an increased need for transfusions. We developed an algorithm for the management of AUB that incorporated leuprolide and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Our aim was to evaluate whether treatment according to this algorithm reduced the number of transfusions.

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Introduction: Promotion of self-efficacy can enhance engagement with health care and treatment adherence in patients with cancer. We report the outcomes of a pilot trial of a digital health coach intervention in patients with leukemia with the aim of improving self-efficacy.

Methods: Adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were randomized 1:1 to a digital health coach intervention or standard of care.

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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a low-grade B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. It is the most prevalent type of leukemia in the western countries, with a median age at diagnosis of 70 years. In 2023, it is estimated that there will be 18,740 new cases of CLL, and an estimated 4,490 people will die of this disease.

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We report on the long-term efficacy and safety of a phase 2 trial of sequential cladribine and rituximab in hairy cell leukemia (HCL). One-hundred and thirty-nine patients were enrolled: 111 in the frontline setting, 18 in first relapse, and 10 with variant HCL (HCLv). A complete response (CR) was achieved in 133 of 137 evaluable participants (97%) with measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity in 102 (77%).

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Purpose: Compare the association of individual comorbidities, comorbidity indices, and survival in older adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), including in specific NHL subtypes.

Methods: Data source was SEER-Medicare, a population-based registry of adults age 65 years and older with cancer. We included all incident cases of NHL diagnosed during 2008-2017 who met study inclusion criteria.

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Article Synopsis
  • Patients with Richter transformation (RT) from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) generally face a poor prognosis when treated with standard chemotherapy regimens, but venetoclax shows promise as a standalone or combined treatment.
  • In a study of 62 RT patients treated with venetoclax alongside various therapies, overall response rates were notable: 36% for BTKi, 54% for R-CHOP, and 52% for other intensive treatments, with varied survival outcomes.
  • Certain genetic factors, like del(17p) and TP53 mutations, correlated with lower response rates and shorter survival, while severe side effects were mostly linked to intensive chemoimmunotherapy combined with venetoclax.
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Purpose: This pilot study of a diet and physical activity intervention (HEALTH4CLL) was conducted to reduce fatigue and improve physical function (PF) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods: The HEALTH4CLL study used a randomized factorial design based on the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST). Patients received diet, exercise, and body weight management instructional materials plus a Fitbit and were randomized to undergo one of 16 combinations of 4 evidence-based mHealth intervention strategies over 16 weeks.

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Background: While the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib have been established in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the evidence on cost effectiveness is still lacking.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of zanubrutinib versus ibrutinib in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia from the commercial payer perspective in the USA.

Methods: A partitioned survival model was developed based on survival curves from the phase III ALPINE trial.

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What Is This Summary About?: This is a plain language summary of a research study called ALPINE. The study involved people who had been diagnosed with, and previously treated at least once for, relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Lymphocytes help to find and fight off viruses and infections in the body, but when someone has CLL or SLL, the body creates abnormal lymphocytes, leaving the patient with a weakened immune system and susceptible to illness.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the effectiveness of a treatment combination (cladribine, idarubicin, and cytarabine or CLIA) for young patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), adding sorafenib for those with a specific mutation (FLT3-ITD).
  • Among 80 patients, the overall complete response rate was 83%, with particularly high success (95%) in the FLT3-ITD group, indicating strong efficacy of the treatment.
  • Patients treated with CLIA plus sorafenib showed significant long-term survival rates (63% and 59% at 2 and 5 years) compared to lower rates in patients with AML from previous treatments, highlighting the importance of tailored therapy
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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of mature B lymphocytes. CLL is the most prevalent leukemia in Western countries. Its presentation can range from asymptomatic with the incidental finding of absolute lymphocytosis on a routine blood test, to symptomatic disease requiring immediate intervention.

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Increased rates of clinically significant bleeding have been reported with ibrutinib, however, limited data is available on the risk when given with concomitant therapeutic anticoagulation. We analyzed the incidence of major bleeding in 64 patient exposures that received ibrutinib with concomitant therapeutic anticoagulation. Major bleeding was observed in 5/64 (8%) patient exposures.

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Patients receiving ibrutinib for CLL rarely achieve undetectable measurable residual disease (U-MRD), necessitating indefinite therapy, with cumulative risks of treatment discontinuation due to progression or adverse events. This study added venetoclax to ibrutinib for up to 2 years, in patients who had received ibrutinib for ≥12 months (mo) and had ≥1 high risk feature (TP53 mutation and/or deletion, ATM deletion, complex karyotype or persistently elevated β-microglobulin). The primary endpoint was U-MRD with 10 sensitivity (U-MRD4) in bone marrow (BM) at 12mo.

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Background: Continuous ibrutinib administration is needed to maintain efficacy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and, as such, long-term toxicity is a concern. The authors report the 5-year follow-up of patients with CLL who received treatment with ibrutinib with a focus on hypertension and cardiovascular toxicities.

Methods: Patient characteristics were assessed, including blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, disease progression, and death.

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