Current problems in cancer
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Blinatumomab, a bispecific T-cell engager antibody construct targeting CD19, has been shown to improve the outcome in patients with relapsed and/or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Treatment with blinatumomab demonstrated significant survival benefit over chemotherapy, supporting its use as a bridge therapy to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Unfortunately, following initial response, approximately 50% of responding patients eventually relapse. ⋯ This pattern of resistance and/or relapse to blinatumomab resembles the graft-versus-leukemia effect after allogeneic transplantation (stronger in blood and marrow than in other tissues). Mechanisms of resistance to blinatumomab are not yet clear. Combination treatments for refractory patients and those at high risk for exramedullary disease may warrant future assessment.