A new study has found that adding a medicine called blinatumomab (Blincyto) to standard chemotherapy can greatly improve recovery rates for children with a common type of blood cancer called B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Normally, chemotherapy alone helps most children get better, but some still see their cancer return. In this large national study, children who received blinatumomab along with chemotherapy were much less likely to have their cancer come back — about 96% stayed cancer-free, compared to 88% who got chemotherapy alone. Blinatumomab is a type of immunotherapy, meaning it helps the body’s own immune system find and destroy cancer cells. It’s given through a continuous infusion over several weeks, which can be done in the hospital or sometimes at home. Side effects were usually mild, and most children tolerated the treatment well. Doctors believe this discovery could change the standard treatment for many young patients with leukemia, giving them an even better chance at a lasting cure.

For deeper reading on this research study, the original publication is linked here.