Targeted Drugs and Molecular Markers Improve Blood Cancer Therapies

Copenhagen, 14 June 2008 – More than 6,500 participants from around 100 European and non-European countries are gathering at the 13th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Copenhagen to share the most recent developments in hematological research and improvements in care.

Novel treatments for multiple myeloma patients

Significant progress can be reported, for example, in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), a particularly aggressive form of bone marrow cancer, as Prof. Jesus San Miguel (Salamanca, Spain) explains at the Copenhagen congress. “The outcome for Multiple Myeloma patients has improved significantly over the last decade, and this is mainly due to the efficacy of novel drugs such as thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib,” he says. Nevertheless, most patients relapse and eventually become refractory (non-responsive) to all available treatments. Thus developing new drugs which utilise different mechanisms is an urgent need, if outcomes for relapsed MM patients are to improve, says Prof. San Miguel.

This has proved to be a very difficult undertaking, he says. “Unfortunately, the expectations raised by some of these agents have not so far been confirmed in clinical experience. It is probable that these target-directed drugs will be more effective in combination with other agents which have already shown clear efficacy in treating the disease.”

Acute Myeloid Leukemia: molecular markers as important prognostic tool

Techniques developed in genome research have improved the physician’s ability to predict success rates in the treatment of a special form of leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and have also paved the way for new therapies, as Prof. Hartmut Döhner (Ulm, Germany) reports at the EHA Congress. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most prevalent acute leukemia. On average, 3.8 people per 100,000, contract the disease, and the incidence increases dramatically with age.In adults 65 years and over, AML incidence rises to 17.9 cases per 100,000. With rising life expectancy, the median age at diagnosis has increased to approximately 70 years. Untreated AML rapidly leads to death as a result of severe infections or bleeding.

Chromosome abnormalities which have been identified in the leukemia cells have been recognized as the most important prognostic factor for predicting response to chemotherapy and cure rates. “In recent years, the identification of molecular genetic changes has greatly advanced our understanding of how leukemia develops,” Prof. Döhner explains. “By taking advantage of novel genomics techniques, a large number of gene mutations or molecular markers have been discovered that now allow us to unravel the enormous biological and clinical heterogeneity of the disease.” These developments have been particularly valuable for a large proportion of the 40% of AML cases which show no visible chromosomal abnormalities under microscopic examination, he says.

“Molecular markers have been shown to be of great prognostic significance for response to chemotherapy and for long term treatment outcome. Some of the markers have predictive value, in that they may allow us to select different types of therapies,” Prof. Döhner says. “Finally, better understanding of the molecular basis now paves the way for the development of novel therapies targeting these gene defects.”

Academia and pharma: public trust at stake

In Copenhagen, experts in the field of haematology also take up the continuing and fundamental debate on the relation between academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Clinicians are dependent upon the pharmaceutical industry for the design, validation, manufacture and distribution of new therapies for their patients, an immensely expensive undertaking. Equally, the pharmaceutical industry requires input from clinicians for guidance in drug development, especially the delivery of clinical trials which are essential regulatory requirements.

“In the complicated relation between clinicians and the pharmaceutical industry, potential conflicts of interest cannot always be avoided,” says Prof. Mike Greaves (Aberdeen, UK). “But increased transparency and openness, and firm adherence to ethical standards, are important for the maintenance of public trust.” According to Prof. Greaves, this includes, inter alia, a disclosure policy and clear standards for accurate reporting of clinical trial data. Prof. Greaves also stresses the need for “transparency relating to industry sponsorship for medical educational activities.”

Interviews with study authors and the press briefing moderator will be possible directly after the briefing.

Contact

B&K Medien- und Kommunikationsberatung GmbH
Dr. Birgit Kofler; Daniela Pedross, MA.
Porzellangasse 35/Top 3, A-1090 Vienna
Press Office: Phone during the Congress: 0045-32 47 21 03
Phone after the Congress: 0043-1-319 43 78-11
E-Mail: kofler@bkkommunikation.com , pedross@bkkommunikation.com

About EHA

The European Hematology Association (EHA) aims to promote excellence in clinical practice, research and education in European hematology.

Today, EHA – with over 2700 active members from 95 countries – directs a large and growing number of projects and programs. An Executive Board and Councilors elected by the membership form the governmental body responsible for the strategy and organization of the Association.

About the EHA Annual Congress

The EHA annual congress is held every June in a major European city. Over the years the congress has become the meeting place for hematologists in all fields of the specialty. The congress program has sessions on clinical and laboratory hematology and covers all the major hematological subspecialties, including hemato-oncology, red cell disorders, hemostasis, thrombosis, pediatric hematology and transfusion medicine.