Loading...
Mutation of the fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 gene (FLT3) is present in about 30% of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) and portends a poor prognosis. Now investigators have conducted an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase III trial to test the potential benefit of adding the oral multitargeted kinase inhibitor midostaurin to standard chemotherapy in 717 patients (age range, 18–59 years) with newly diagnosed AML; all patients had an FLT3 mutation, either internal tandem duplication (ITD) or tyrosine kinase domain (TKD).
Patients received daunorubicin plus cytarabine induction chemotherapy with midostaurin or placebo. Those achieving complete remission proceeded to four cycles of high-dose cytarabine plus m…