Dr. Lai on the Potential Benefits of Venetoclax in AML

Catherine Lai, MD, MPH, director of Leukemia at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses ​the potential benefits of venetoclax (Venclexta) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 

Many advances have been made in the AML armamentarium, and chief among them is venetoclax, explains says Lai. 

The drug plays a significant role in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed AML who are older and are unfit for intensive chemotherapy​, Lai explains.

Although the response rates with venetoclax are similar to several induction chemotherapy regimens, the toxicity profile is improved with the BCL-2 inhibitor. ​Additionally, venetoclax can be given in the outpatient setting, which is of critical importance for older, high-risk patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Lai concludes.