Amgen says Phase II trials for Blincyto support efficacy and safety in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

US biotech major Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) said new data from mid-stage trials for Blincyto (blinatumomab) to treat lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) support the efficacy and safety of the drug.

The company said Phase II trials showed meaningful relapse-free survival (RFS), as measured in the key secondary endpoint. Median RFS was 18.9 months following initiation of Blincyto. Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to the presence of leukemia blast cells below the limits of detection available with standard assessment.

Dr Sean Harper, executive vice president of research and development at Amgen, said: "A key goal in the treatment of blood cancers is to prevent relapse from occurring. Achieving a complete minimal residual disease, or MRD response, is important because having no detectable MRD places ALL patients at a lower risk for relapse when compared to patients with persistent or recurrent MRD. The data presented are highly encouraging because they support the potential of Blincyto in a broader spectrum of ALL patients, including those at an earlier stage of disease."