Dr. Woyach on the Role of Small Molecule Inhibitors in CLL

Jennifer Woyach, MD, associate professor, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–James, discusses the role of small molecule inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Most patients with CLL receive treatment with small molecule inhibitors throughout the entire course of their disease, says Woyach. 

Standard treatment​s include ​BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib (Imbruvica), acalabrutinib (Calquence), and zanubrutinib (Brukinsa)​, explains Woyach. In addition, venetoclax ​(Venclexta), a BCL​-2 inhibitor, in combination with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) or rituximab (Rituxan) is another option in the space. 

Moreover, reversible BTK inhibitors have shown encouraging preliminary efficacy ​in CLL, Woyach concludes.