Blinatumomab activity in a patient with Down syndrome B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Persistent minimal residual disease (MRD) after consolidation may indicate chemotherapy insensitivity in B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BP‐ALL). Given the strong association of MRD and outcome in non‐Down syndrome (non‐DS) BP‐ALL, it is likely that MRD levels are also of prognostic significance in DS BP‐ALL. We report here the successful use of blinatumomab, a bispecific T‐cell engager antibody construct, in a patient with DS BP‐ALL and persistent MRD at the end of consolidation. Blinatumomab has been shown to have excellent results in patients with relapsed/refractory BP‐ALL. This patient had no significant toxicity and achieved MRD negativity after only one cycle of blinatumomab.