Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have successfully eradicated measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by treatment with the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) inotuzumab ozogamicin. This is an important step toward improving long-term survival outcomes.
Results from the phase 2 trial were published in Blood Cancer Journal. Of the 37 patients treated, 70% achieved MRD negativity. This was accompanied by a strong response in both Philadelphia chromosome positive and negative disease. Patients treated early had the best outcomes. Recurrence-free survival was 40 months, and median survival was 61 months.
Our results show that inotuzumab is highly effective in eliminating residual disease in patients already in remission, exhibiting durable responses, and promoting survival. This approach has the potential to deepen remission and change the way patients at high risk of relapse are managed. ”
Elias Jabbar, MD, Principal Investigator, Professor of Leukemia
What do the test results mean for B-cell ALL patients?
These results suggest that this ADC treatment may offer patients a high chance of curing residual disease even after being treated with other therapies. Clearing MRD is a strong predictor of whether a patient will relapse. Once MRD resolves and becomes undetectable, patients are generally more likely to remain in remission. In addition, this treatment may help patients reach a stage where they can become candidates for stem cell transplantation or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy with greater safety and less disease.
Treatment was well tolerated and side effects were manageable.
These findings highlight inotuzumab as a promising strategy that may improve long-term outcomes by deepening remission and eradicating residual leukemia.
sauce:
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Reference magazines:
Jabbar, E. Others. (2026) Inotuzumab ozogamicin therapy for measurable residual disease in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood Cancer Journal. DOI: 10.1038/s41408-026-01551-6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41408-026-01551-6
