The maintenance regimen was well tolerated compared with the regimen given during standard intensive therapy, with, for example, lower rates of grade 3 and 4 anemia (8.9% vs. 48.9%), neutropenia (80.6% vs. 91.6%), and thrombocytopenia (0.6% vs. 26.0%), which translated to less need for transfusions, and a lower rate of grade 3 or 4 infection (29.4% vs. 56.4%), Dr. Bisogno reported. There were no cases of grade 3 or 4 cardiac, hepatobiliary/pancreatic, or renal toxicity.
Relative to peers who stopped treatment after standard intensive therapy, patients who received maintenance treatment tended to have better disease-free survival (77.6% vs. 69.8%; hazard ratio, 0.68; P = .0613) and had significantly better overall survival (86.5% vs. 73.7%; hazard ratio, 0.52; P = .0111).
Dr. Bisogno disclosed that he has a consulting or advisory role with Clinigen Group, and receives travel, accommodations, and/or expenses from Jazz Pharmaceuticals. The study received funding from Fondazione Città della Speranza, Italy.
SOURCE: Bisogno et al. ASCO 2018 Abstract LBA2.