Successful use of blinatumomab in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and severe hepatic dysfunction

Abstract

Relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia poses a significant clinical challenge due to its poor prognosis, with survival rates of less than a year, even with novel therapies. Patients frequently experience toxicities from induction chemotherapy such as hepatotoxicity, which can limit therapeutic options upon relapse. Blinatumomab, a novel immunotherapy, has demonstrated excellent efficacy in relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia; however, there are limited data on use of this agent in patients with significant organ dysfunction. In this report, we describe the safe and effective use of blinatumomab in an adult patient with refractory Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph−) acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the setting of severe hepatic dysfunction. Blinatumomab may represent a viable option to treat relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients with significant hepatic dysfunction.