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Blinatumomab as maintenance therapy for pediatric acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia in the setting of asparaginase-associated pancreatitis
  • Thomas Galletta,
  • Jeremy Rubinstein
Thomas Galletta
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Corresponding Author:thomas.galletta@cchmc.org

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Jeremy Rubinstein
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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Abstract

Modern chemotherapy for pediatric acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), including a maintenance phase on the backbone of oral antimetabolite administration, has resulted in a generally excellent prognosis for newly diagnosed disease. However, therapy-related toxicities may preclude a patient’s ability to safely receive traditional chemotherapy. We report the case of a child with B-ALL unable to tolerate oral antimetabolite therapy due to recurring necrotizing pancreatitis secondary to asparaginase. She received a modified maintenance therapy with blinatumomab, a CD3- and CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engager antibody, which was well tolerated and allowed for resolution of her pancreatitis while maintaining a durable remission.