Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Schetelig discusses the use of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) as a treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Schetelig explains that allo-HCT involves replacing a patient's unhealthy bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor. This process allows for the production of new, healthy blood cells that can help fight off cancer cells. However, allo-HCT can come with a variety of risks and side effects, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which occurs when the donated cells attack the patient's own cells.
To mitigate these risks, Schetelig discusses the importance of selecting the right donor for each patient, as well as the use of specific conditioning regimens to prepare the patient's body for the transplant. He also highlights the role of the ASAP trial, a phase II clinical trial that aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using an alternative conditioning regimen for patients undergoing allo-HCT for relapsed or refractory AML.
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The ASAP trial is specifically designed to test the use of the fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and G-CSF (FLAG-IDA) regimen, followed by a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen prior to the transplant. Schetelig explains that this regimen has shown promising results in smaller studies, and the ASAP trial aims to confirm its efficacy and safety in a larger patient population.
Overall, Schetelig emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment approaches for patients with relapsed or refractory AML, including the use of allo-HCT as a potential treatment option. He also notes that the ASAP trial has the potential to provide valuable insights into the use of the FLAG-IDA and RIC regimen for allo-HCT, ultimately improving patient outcomes in the future.