title: Immunotherapy approaches to treat adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: Recent developments in immunotherapy are improving treatment results of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This advancement is promoted by new monoclonal antibodies such as inotuzumab ozogamicin, ofatumumab and blinatumomab, by rituximab, and by genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cells. These treatments, variously targeting CD22, CD20 and CD19 antigens, yield unprecedented high rates of hematologic and molecular remissions even when used in monotherapy and in chemo-resistant or post-transplantation relapsed patients. Beside the encouraging results in relapsed/refractory disease, these agents may open a totally new era in the frontline management of this illness, redefining treatment standards and options for different risk subsets and placing the achievement of a molecular remission at the forefront of treatment objectives. The ever increasing importance of modern immunotherapy in improving treatment design and therapeutic outcome is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: a UOC Ematologia , Ospedale dell'Angelo & Ospedale SS. Giovanni e Paolo , Mestre - Venezia , Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maino
authors.affiliation: b UOC Ematologia , Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Ospedale Borgo Roma , Verona , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonifacio
authors.affiliation: a UOC Ematologia , Ospedale dell'Angelo & Ospedale SS. Giovanni e Paolo , Mestre - Venezia , Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Scattolin
authors.affiliation: a UOC Ematologia , Ospedale dell'Angelo & Ospedale SS. Giovanni e Paolo , Mestre - Venezia , Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bassan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; B-cell precursor; blinatumomab; chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells; hematopoietic cell transplantation; inotuzumab ozogamicin; minimal residual disease; refractory/relapsed; rituximab