Dr. Bhat on Emerging Targeted Therapies in CLL

Seema A. Bhat, MD, a hematologist specializing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–James, discusses emerging targeted therapies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The armamentarium in CLL is expanding, Bhat explains. Currently, the covalently bound BTK inhibitors ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and acalabrutinib (Calquence) are approved. However, patients can develop resistance to these agents over time.

As such, reversible BTK inhibitors, such as LOXO-305 and ARQ 531, are in development, Bhat says.

Zanubrutinib (Brukinsa), which is another covalently bound BTK inhibitor, is also be evaluated in an ongoing head-to-head clinical trial with ibrutinib, Bhat says.

Additionally, the next-generation PI3K inhibitor umbralisib is being evaluated in combination with CD20-directed monoclonal antibodies and other targeted agents, Bhat says. If approved, the agent would add to the current approvals of idelalisib (Zydelig) and duvelisib (Copiktra).