The future of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: potential directions from ASH 2017

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Novel targeted therapies – including ibrutinib, venetoclax, and idelalisib – have revolutionized the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Therefore, studying combinations of novel agents (NAs) with a distinct mechanism of action and nonoverlapping toxicities is challenging.

Area covered: The 2017 American Society Hematology Annual Meeting has represented a showcase for several trials combining NAs. These studies are currently evaluating the efficacy NA plus anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, NA plus NA (with or without anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody), and NA plus chemo-immunotherapy.

Expert commentary: The development of well-tolerated, highly effective combination strategies with curative potential for patients with CLL is becoming a realistic goal in CLL. From a practical standpoint, it is hard to determine which regimen will be most beneficial. Until studies of association will provide more mature results, the sequencing of NA remains a reasonable approach.

KEYWORDS:

• CLL
• ASH 2017
• ibrutinib
• venetoclax
• combination novel agents

Declaration of interest

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.