Chemo-free treatment performs better in adult Philadelphia-positive leukemia trial

A chemo-free drug combination performed better than standard treatment in a phase 3 trial for adults with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer.

The study compared ponatinib, a targeted drug, and blinatumomab, an immune-based treatment, with standard care that combines a targeted drug and chemotherapy.

After the first treatment stage, 94% of patients on the new combination reached complete remission, compared with 79% on standard care.

After a later stage, 71% of patients receiving the new treatment had a deep molecular response, compared with 49% in the standard group.

At two years, 90% of patients in the new-treatment group were alive, compared with 85% in the standard group, and relapse was less common.

The findings matter because they suggest chemotherapy may not be needed for some adults with this form of leukemia, while treatment outcomes could improve.

The study was coordinated by researchers at Sapienza University of Rome and presented in Rome; the sources give no next step for treatment or approval.