Lymphoma
Long-term results and other findings from clinical trials
Fixed-duration venetoclax plus rituximab (VenR; n = 194) was tested against bendamustine plus rituximab (BR) for six months (n = 195) in the global, open-label, randomized phase III MURANO study that enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory CLL. In the experimental arm, 6 cycles of rituximab were administered, and venetoclax monotherapy was taken for a total of 24 months.
Continuous BTK inhibition and combination regimens: present and future
Inhibitors of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) have changed the standards of care in the setting of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, they do not eliminate leukemia, and undetectable residual disease is only very rarely achieved. Continuous treatment is therefore the standard approach, with the covalent BTK inhibitors ibrutinib, acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib being in widespread use as front-line single agents.
Preface – iwCLL 2023
The 20th International Workshop on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (iwCLL) was held in Boston, USA, and virtually from 6th–9th October 2023. This conference featured 11 sessions committed to discussing the management of patients with CLL world-wide and to creating progress regarding patient outcomes.
Updates on BTK- and Bcl-2–targeted treatment in various B-cell malignancies
Updates on BTK- and Bcl-2–targeted treatment in various B-cell malignancies Ibrutinib plus CIT: SELENE trial Survival outcomes typically deteriorate with repeated lines of chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The randomized, double-blind phase III ...
DLBCL: treatment of elderly patients and relapsed disease
Overall survival has improved considerably in the setting of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, patients above the age of 80 years are an exception in terms of survival prolongation and therefore face an unmet clinical need [1]. At the same time, this is a group that constitutes an increasing proportion of DLBCL patients.
Waldenström macroglobulinemia: findings from ASPEN and BRUIN
In the management of patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), BTK inhibitors have changed the therapeutic landscape and are considered preferred treatment options for the first and later lines. Compared to the first-in-class agent ibrutinib, the potent and irreversible BTK inhibitor zanubrutinib offers improved BTK selectivity that minimizes off-target effects and toxicities.
Follicular lymphoma: study results with bispecific antibodies and BTK inhibitors
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtype [1]. In general, it remains incurable with standard therapies, and most patients experience multiple relapses over time. Therefore, there remains a great need for innovative new regimens such as the first-in-class CD20xCD3 T-cell–engaging bispecific antibody mosunetuzumab that is being tested in a pivotal phase II trial in patients with relapsed/refractory grade 1-3a FL after ≥ 2 lines of therapy (including an anti-CD20 antibody and an alkylating agent).
Current insights into BTK inhibition and other targeted approaches in CLL
In the setting of early-stage, asymptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the concept of watch & wait in the era of targeted agents was challenged by the placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase III CLL12 study. This trial assessed the use of ibrutinib 420 mg OD (n = 182) vs. placebo (n = 181) until symptomatic disease progression in treatment-naïve patients with asymptomatic CLL Binet stage A who had an increased risk due to factors such as del(17p), IGHV mutation status, or age.