Outcomes after venetoclax with hypomethylating agents in myelodysplastic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We present a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes after venetoclax (VEN) with hypomethylating agents (HMA) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We performed a literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Clinicaltrials.gov. After screening 2004 manuscripts, 16 studies were included. Data was extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Pooled analysis was done using the meta-package by Schwarzer et al. Proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. We analyzed the outcomes of 373 patients from 11 retrospective studies and five phase 1 b clinical trials. Pooled complete response with or without hematological recovery was 60% (95% CI 0.49-0.7, I2= 67%, n = 373). Hematopoietic cell transplantation was performed in 32% of patients (95% CI 0.2-0.46, I2= 62%, n = 187). Overall mortality was 45% (95% CI 0.31-0.59, I2=54%, n = 140). VEN-HMA combination therapy demonstrated promising outcomes in MDS. Prospective randomized data is needed to ascertain the benefit of VEN and its impact in MDS patients.

Immunotherapy-Induced Anterior Hypophysitis.

Immunotherapy-based regimens are currently the standard treatment for many different types of cancers. Monoclonal antibodies against cytotoxic T lymphocytes antigen (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) are the major subgroups of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are being used widely in the treatment of various malignancies. They function by reactivating the immune system against the tumor cells but can also trigger autoimmune side effects, which are termed immune-related adverse effects (irAEs). In this report, we present a case of irAEs in a patient treated for colorectal cancer with combination therapy with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4 antibody) and nivolumab (anti-PD-1 antibody).