Prof Nicholas Short speaks to ecancer about the interim results of a phase II study of blinatumomab plus ponatinib for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Initially, he describes the rationale of the study. He then discusses the methodology and results of this study.

The chemotherapy-free combination of ponatinib and blinatumomab shows encouraging safety and efficacy in Ph+ ALL, with high rates of complete molecular response and durable remissions, particularly when used in the frontline setting.

All newly diagnosed patients remain in remission without allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant, suggesting that this regimen may obviate the need for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant in this setting.

ecancer's filming has been kindly supported by Amgen through the ecancer Global Foundation. ecancer is editorially independent and there is no influence over content.