Dr. Phillips Discusses Ongoing Trials in MCL

Tycel Jovelle Phillips, MD, clinical associate professor, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, discusses ongoing trials in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

The results of the phase 3 SYMPATICO trial (NCT03112174) are highly anticipated because the complete remission rate is likely to be higher compared with the current standard of care, Phillips says. The question remains whether those numbers will translate into a progression-free survival benefit in this patient population, Phillips says. Moreover, if the results are positive and clinically significant, ibrutinib (Imbruvica), or BTK inhibitors in general, plus venetoclax (Venclexta) will likely become the new standard of care, Phillips adds.

Regarding ibrutinib, data are anticipated from the phase 3 SHINE study (NCT01776840), which evaluated bendamustine and rituximab (Rituxan; BR) plus ibrutinib vs BR alone in the frontline setting for patients with newly diagnosed MCL, Phillips continues. It is important to see whether the addition of ibrutinib to BR elicits additional benefit with durable responses and assess what that means for the patients, Phillips explains. If ibrutinib moves into the frontline setting, the role of BTK inhibitors as second-line therapy may be affected, Phillips concludes.