Dr. Tam Discusses the Side Effect Profile of Duvelisib in CLL

Constantine S. Tam, MD, associate professor, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, discusses the side effect profile of duvelisib in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The PI3-kinase inhibitor duvelisib is very similar to idelalisib (Zydelig) in regard to the safety profile, says Tam. Common class effects are rash, hepatitis, and the potential for pneumonitis and colitis.

In the phase III DUO trial, duvelisib was compared to ofatumumab (Arzerra) in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma. Tam said that in this study, there were not many infections, which he attributes to the strict prophylactic measures. All patients were required to take pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis and were recommended to have cytomegalovirus (CMV) surveillance and prophylaxis. The patients who did develop an infection were the ones who did not adhere to the prophylaxis regimen, Tam says.