Dr. Steven Coutre on Frontline Treatment Decisions in CLL

Steven Coutre, MD, professor of medicine (hematology) at Stanford University Medical Center, discusses considerations when selecting between oral therapies like ibrutinib and chemoimmunotherapy for first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

When determining frontline treatment, it is important to consider each patient’s individual needs, and not just make a medical-based decision, says Coutre.

A frail patient or a patient with multiple comorbidities may not be able to tolerate a chemoimmunotherapy regimen, and should therefore be given an oral regimen.

Financial constraints may also need to be a considered for some patients. A defined course of therapy like chemoimmunotherapy may be fully reimbursed by insurance, while a long-term oral therapy may not be, says Coutre.

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