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Correction regarding data on blinatumomab-associated seizures

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology volume 13, page 650 (2016)Cite this article

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We would like to thank Max Topp, Zachary Zimmerman and Hagop Kantarjian for their correspondence on our Review article (Cancer-treatment-induced neurotoxicity — focus on newer treatments. Nat. Rev. Clin. Oncol. 13, 92–105 (2016))1. After carefully reviewing the data discussed by Topp et al. (Correction regarding data on blinatumomab-associated seizures. Nat. Rev. Clin. Oncol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.133 (2016))2, we concur with the authors that the frequency of seizures associated with blinatumomab treatment was overstated in our Review article1. As noted in previous studies, the overall rate of grade ≥3 neurological events in patients treated with blinatumomab is 15–20%, and these manifestations include cerebellar signs and encephalopathy, in addition to seizures3. Results from two phase II trials4 demonstrate that the rate of any neurological event associated with the use of blinatumomab in patients aged >65 years was 72%, and in patients under the age of 65 years, this rate was 48%. The authors of the publication on these two trials note an 8% incidence of convulsions in patients older than 65 years of age who received blinatumomab, and 3% in those under the age of 65 years4. In a multicentre, single-arm, phase II study in patients with relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with blinatumomab5, 52% of the patients experienced neurological toxicities, most of which were managed with dexamethasone treatment; 2% of the patients experienced convulsions. In both of these reports4,5, the incidence of convulsions is noted, but the rate of nonconvulsive seizures is not clearly stated. Given that nonconvulsive-seizure activity might present as encephalopathy and aphasia, which are common neurological adverse events that can occur with blinatumomab treatment, the true frequency of seizure associated with this treatment is unknown, and we recommend evaluation for seizure activity if a patient shows signs of altered mental status.

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References

  1. Stone, J. B. & DeAngelis, L. M. Cancer-treatment-induced neurotoxicity — focus on newer treatments. Nat. Rev. Clin. Oncol. 13, 92–105 (2016).

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  1. Jacqueline B. Stone and Lisa M. DeAngelis are at the Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA.,

    Jacqueline B. Stone & Lisa M. DeAngelis

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  1. Jacqueline B. Stone
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  2. Lisa M. DeAngelis
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Correspondence to Jacqueline B. Stone.

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Stone, J., DeAngelis, L. Correction regarding data on blinatumomab-associated seizures. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 13, 650 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.134

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