Dr. Olin on FLT3 Inhibitor Research in AML

Rebecca L. Olin, MD, MSCE, associate professor, Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, discusses research surrounding FLT3 inhibitors as a treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Midostaurin (Rydapt) in combination with 7+3 has become the standard of care in patients with FLT3-positive disease at diagnosis due to the overall survival benefit that was seen in the RATIFY trial, explains Olin. Gilteritinib (Xospata) is a different type of FLT3 inhibitor, which was looked at in the relapsed/refractory setting and compared with standard chemotherapy. Results showed that when gilteritinib is given as monotherapy, it leads to a significant improvement in response rate and survival, thereby making it a reasonable standard of care in the second-line setting, says Olin.

These agents will be examined in the maintenance setting, as well. There are already some data on sorafenib (Nexavar) and midostaurin in the maintenance setting, and an ongoing trial is also examining gilteritinib as a maintenance option, according to Olin.