SIERRA Trial Aims to Address Medical Needs for Older Patients with R/R AML

Sergio Giralt, MD, a hematologic oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center discusses the current unmet medical needs for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML).

For patients with active R/R AML, outcomes are generally worse after allogeneic stem cell transplant, according to Giralt. In fact, many cancer centers do not attempt a transplant at all unless the patient is in remission.

Currently, the only curative strategy for R/R AML is transplant and this modality is associated with better outcomes than chemotherapy. Giralt says that having therapies that help get patients to the point they are able to receive a transplant is highly important.

I apamistamab (Iomab B) is still highly effective in making a transplant feasible, according to Giralt. However, more drugs are still needed in order to ensure the patient does not have too many severe adverse events. If a drug is too toxic, transplant can become impossible or very dangerous.