Multicenter phase 2 trial of first-line inotuzumab ozogamicin followed by blinatumomab for B-cell ALL in older patients

Older patients with ALL receiving conventional chemotherapy have poor survival due to toxic death and relapse. Cohort 1 of the multicenter phase 2 A041703 study evaluated the chemotherapy-free regimen of the anti-CD22 antibody-calicheamcin conjugate inotuzumab ozogamicin followed by the bispecific anti-CD19/CD3 T-cell engager blinatumomab as first-line therapy for Ph-negative, CD22-positive B-ALL in patients aged 60 years or older. The 1-year EFS and OS rates were 75% (95% CI 61-92) and 85% (73-98), respectively. The authors conclude that inotuzumab ozogamicin followed by blinatumomab without chemotherapy was active in older patients with Ph-negative, CD22-positive B-ALL.