The role of blinatumomab in adult acute B lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract

Blinatumomab is a CD19 × CD3-directed bispecific T-cell engager that has become an essential backbone of acute B lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL) treatment. It is used in relapsed/refractory disease, minimal residual disease (MRD), as well as in first-line treatment. Blinatumomab is particularly effective in MRD-positive BCP-ALL, inducing a high rate of deep molecular response, with very good overall tolerability. Very promising data are reported for the addition of blinatumomab to first-line therapy. This review focusses on new aspects of blinatumomab treatment in Philadelphia-negative BCP-ALL treatment in adult patients, including MRD-positive and relapsed/refractory disease, as well as reviewing recent clinical trials implementing blinatumomab into first-line therapy of BCP-ALL treatment.

Keywords: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; antibody therapy; blinatumomab; monoclonal antibodies.