Dr. Danilov on Venetoclax Plus BTK Inhibitors in CLL

Alexey V. Danilov, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine, Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, discusses the potential for combining venetoclax (Venclexta) with novel BTK inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Multiple studies presented at the 2019 ASH Annual Meeting explored venetoclax in combination with novel BTK inhibitors, says Danilov. As the field enters a new era where chemoimmunotherapy is fading out, investigators are hoping to determine whether deep responses can be achieved with fixed-duration regimens for patients with CLL.

A few studies are examining venetoclax in combination with ibrutinib (Imbruvica) or venetoclax plus acalabrutinib (Calquence) with or without a CD20-directed antibody, adds Danilov.

For example, a phase II study showed high efficacy with the combination of acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab (Gazyva), with 60% bone marrow measurable residual disease negativity after 6 months, says Danilov. Additionally, the response rates with the regimen appear to be very durable, concludes Danilov.