Emerging therapies for refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that becomes refractory to chemotherapy is associated with a poor outcome. For these patients, some of the novel substances that are currently in clinical development for CLL seem to offer new hope. These agents include small molecules, new antibodies, immunomodulators, kinase inhibitors, BCL-2 antagonists and chimeric antigen receptor transduced T-cells (CARTs) and combine high efficacy with a good safety profile. To date, allogeneic stem cell transplant remains the only curative treatment option for patients with relapsed, refractory CLL. However, it is possible that new substances will replace allogeneic stem cell transplant in the near future. This review provides an overview of the currently available data and an outlook on future therapies for chemotherapy refractory CLL.

Keywords::

• Refractory/relapsed CLL
• small molecules
• new antibodies
• immunomodulators
• kinase inhibitors
• BCL-2 antagonists
• CARTs

Acknowledgements

The GCLLSG recived research grants from Roche, Janssen, Celegene and Gilead.

Potential conflict of interest:

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