Dr. Heyman on Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax in Relapsed/Refractory MCL

Benjamin Heyman, MD, hematologist, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego Health, discusses the phase 3 SYMPATICO trial (NCT03112174) examining the combination of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and venetoclax (Venclexta) vs ibrutinib alone in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). 

Data from a safety run-in cohort showed that at a median follow-up of 31 months, the doublet elicited an overall response rate of approximately 80%; this proved to be similar to results reported from the phase 2 AIM study (NCT02471391), where the same combination was previously examined in patients with MCL, Heyman says.

The majority of patients in this cohort achieved complete and durable responses, as well as a median progression-free survival (PFS) of approximately 3 years, Heyman adds. A threefold increase in PFS was observed in patients who received the combination vs the monotherapy, Heyman explains. 

Updated data from the trial are anticipated to see whether the combination will alter the treatment paradigm for patients with relapsed or refractory MCL; these data could potentially support a chemotherapy-free approach with ibrutinib plus venetoclax in this setting, Heyman concludes.