Dr. Cortes on Future Research Directions With CPX-351 in AML

Jorge E. Cortes, MD, director of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, discusses future directions in the research of CPX-351 (Vyxeos) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The next steps for research with CPX-351 is to determine other settings in which the agent can be utilized, Cortes says. The safety and efficacy of the agent were demonstrated in a recent phase 3 study, which enrolled an older patient population with secondary leukemia, Cortes explains.

The agent can also potentially be examined in younger patients or in combination with other agents, particularly targeted therapies, Cortes notes. In one ongoing study, all patients will receive CPX-351, and the second agent they receive will be identified based on their mutational status. For example, patients with a FLT3 mutation will receive a FLT3 inhibitor, while an IDH inhibitor would be added for the treatment of a patient with an IDH mutation. For patients without a mutation, venetoclax (Venclexta) can be added, Cortes says. The rationale for this is that venetoclax combined with chemotherapy can significantly improve outcomes in this patient population. It's possible that these combinations can enhance the efficacy of CPX-351 in these patients, Cortes concludes.