Rome, 22 April (beraking latest news Salute) – “Until 20-25 years ago the cure rate for onco-haematological patients was nailed to around 15-20%, today we can say with great satisfaction that, thanks to scientific research, we are able to heal 60-70% of all blood cancers. In some cancers the cure rate is over 95%. These data speak for themselves: that between assistance and research is a virtuous alliance, but without the support of the pharmaceutical industry such goals would have been unthinkable “. Thus Sergio Amadori, Ail national president, in his speech at the presentation of the X scientific conference Leukemia 2021, entitled “The challenge to complex blood cancers: from therapies without chemo to immunotherapy with Car-T. Current studies and hopes of the future “, which was held today in virtual mode, anticipating the themes of Leukemia 2021, the biennial meeting dedicated to leukemia and beyond, whose works this year will take place online on 26 and 27 April, and during which will talk about the most important scientific innovations of recent years: chemo-free treatments, targeted therapies, oral drugs and drug combinations that are increasingly effective, better tolerated and that ensure greater survival.
“Ail, in addition to dealing for 50 years with assistance and services for patients suffering from blood cancer – recalls Amadori – has always supported scientific research thanks to which in recent decades we have witnessed an extraordinary advancement in the treatment of all haematological diseases In particular, our association supports the Gimema Group, which has been at the forefront for years in the production of clinical studies, many of which have represented a turning point in the treatment of some forms of blood cancers. A great success, among the many of which we will talk about in Leukemia, concerns a particular form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) called acute promyelocytic leukemia (Lap), a fulminant leukemia until a few years ago and for which, after the identification of the molecular anomaly, Gimema contributed to the development of a specific therapy used on the front line and today an international standard goal for this disease “.
The collaboration between AilL and Leukemia has also been going on for some time. A partnership born from an idea of Amadori himself who, together with Professor Angelo Michele Carella, coordinator of the meeting and former director of Hematology and bone marrow transplants of the San Martino Polyclinic in Genoa, has given way to a symbiosis between researchers, haematologists and volunteers that is bearing fruit and is renewed with the conference ‘Leukemia 2021’, sponsored by Sie – Italian Society of Hematology, Gitmo – Italian group for bone marrow transplantation, hematopoietic stem cells and cell therapy, and Gimema Foundation – Italian group of adult hematological diseases.
“Today patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma – says the president of Ail – can count more and more often on a disease free tomorrow and they know they can return to a life that is as normal as possible. All this thanks to the support of Ail and to the important advances in scientific research which will be discussed during the work of the conference “.
Among the most recent news of the last 2-3 years, at the center of Leukemia 2021, the arrival of drugs aimed at the malignant mutations of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. “The basic concept of this X Conference is the one that inspired Leukemia in previous editions: the narration of clinical research and basic research – underlines Angelo Michele Carella, former director of Hematology and bone marrow transplants at the Policlinico San Martino hospital in Genoa – During the two days of work we will deepen the themes of Car-T, bispecific antibodies, therapies without chemotherapy and we will talk about the progress achieved in some forms of leukemia, in lymphomas and myeloma. We will also focus on combinations of oral drugs without chemotherapy ”.
The conference will bring together Italian and foreign haematologists of international fame: ample space will be given to the most advanced immunotherapy, to chemo-free therapies that are becoming increasingly popular, to innovative oral and intramuscular drugs. In addition, a session will be dedicated to the topic of the quality of life of haematological patients.