Dr. Jurcic on Lintuzumab and Low-Dose Cytarabine for AML

Joseph Jurcic, MD, professor of Clinical Medicine, director of the Hematologic Malignancies Section of the Hematology/Oncology Division, Columbia University Medical Center, discusses a phase I trial of lintuzumab and low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) in older patients with untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Thus far in the ongoing study, 13 patients have received small doses of LDAC, which is easier to tolerate than other types of chemotherapy. However, it still reduces the leukemic burden, along with the monoclonal antibody lintuzumab, which eliminates any residual disease, says Jurcic.

The combination is well-tolerated, with similar side effects as seen in other AML studies that include chemotherapy. There have not been any liver or kidney toxicities, says Jurcic.

The therapy has shown evidence of significant anti-leukemic effects. Among the 12 patients that been evaluated for response, 25% have had remissions, says Jurcic.