Conclusions from Ariad related ASCO Conference Abstracts

The purpose of this post is to provide access to conclusions from Ariad related abstracts for upcoming presentations at the ASCO conference in Chicago. Breaking with previous tradition for this blog, there will be no editorial comments or analyses by the author or any other party.     

Abstract 1:

Title:    Economic burden of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment failure in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Conclusions:  Although TKI failures have lower pharmacy burden, their overall economic burden is higher, primarily due to increased inpatient days. These findings suggest that minimizing TKI failure through more efficacious treatment may decrease the overall health care burden and costs of managing CML.

Abstract  2:

Title: A phase 2 study of ponatinib in patients (pts) with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) after failure of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy: Initial report       .

Conclusions:  Initial analysis of this ongoing trial suggests that ponatinib has activity in pts with advanced GIST after failure of prior TKI therapy. .

Abstract  3:

Title: Longer-term follow up of a phase 1 study of ponatinib in patients (pts) with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias       .

Conclusions: Substantial and durable responses were observed with ponatinib in heavily pretreated CP-CML pts. Vascular occlusive events were observed. Risk and benefit considerations should be evaluated when utilizing ponatinib in this pt population.

Abstract  4:

Title: Clinical impact of dose modification and dose intensity on response to ponatinib (PON) in patients (pts) with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias .

Conclusions:  Pts on PON] who undergo dose modification may still respond to treatment and dose modification may be an effective management tool. Careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks of PON should guide treatment decisions.

Abstract  5:

Title:    Ponatinib (PON) in patients (pts) with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukemias resistant or intolerant to dasatinib or nilotinib, or with the T315I mutation: Longer-term follow up of the PACE trial.

Conclusions:   PON has substantial clinical activity in heavily pretreated pts with Ph+ leukemias. PON is an important treatment option for pts in whom the need and benefit outweigh the risk.

Abstract  6:

Title: EPIC: A phase III trial of ponatinib (PON) versus imatinib (IM) in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed CP-CML.

Conclusions:  While PON demonstrated early activity in frontline CP-CML, EPIC was terminated as its objectives could not be met with PON dose reductions implemented mid-trial due to safety observations in PACE. Further investigation of PON safety is warranted. PON remains an important treatment option for pretreated CML and Ph+ ALL pts in whom the need and benefit outweigh the risk.

Abstract  7:

Title: Updated efficacy and safety of the ALK inhibitor AP26113 in patients (pts) with advanced malignancies, including ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Conclusions: AP26113 has promising anti-tumor activity in pts with crizotinib-resistant ALK+ NSCLC, including pts with brain metastases. A randomized Ph2 trial evaluating 90 mg QD vs. 90mg QD escalating to 180mg QD in crizotinib-resistant ALK+ NSCLC will begin shortly.   .


Abstract  8:

Title: Phase II study of combination of hyperCVAD with ponatinib in frontline therapy of patients (pts) with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Conclusions:  Combination of hyperCVAD + ponatinib is highly effective in pts with Ph+ ALL. Due to the vascular events observed, some pts switched to alternative TKI; in the remaining, ponatinib dose was modified to 30 mg daily during consolidation with subsequent reduction to 15 mg in pts in CMR

Disclosures: I am a “long” ARIA investor. I was not paid by any party to write this blog, and have no affiliation with Ariad Pharmaceuticals.