Dr. McCulloch on the Likelihood of Relapse on a BTK Inhibitor in MCL

Rory McCulloch, MD, vice chair, South West Peninsula, HaemSTAR, hematology registrar, University Hospitals, Plymouth, discusses the likelihood of relapse on a BTK inhibitor in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

BTK inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment landscape of MCL, but the data show that approximately half of patients will not have a durable response. Ultimately, every patient will end up relapsing at some point, says McCulloch. The field is reaching the stage where the majority of patients have been exposed to a BTK inhibitor and are at the point of relapse. The question now is what to do next.

Early data have shown that it is a very difficult point in the treatment algorithm and there have been no satisfactory treatments that have surfaced, says McCulloch. The average response rate is typically about 30%. Moreover, the progression-free survival, in the best study, which was with venetoclax (Venclexta), is only about 3 months. This reflects a large unmet need, which investigators are hoping to fill with novel regimens.