Dr. Stephens on Early Intervention With Targeted Agents in CLL

Deborah M. Stephens, DO, director, CLL and Lymphoma Program, Huntsman Cancer Institute, discusses early intervention with targeted agents to improve outcomes in patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The phase 3 S1925 trial (NCT04269902), also known as the EVOLVE CLL/SLL study, is enrolling patients diagnosed with CLL within the past year who have high-risk disease, defined as a CLL International Prognostic Index of 4 or higher, or a complex karyotype, according to Stephens. Patients also needed to be asymptomatic prior to enrollment.

Study participants were randomized 2:1 to receive either early or delayed therapy with the combination of venetoclax (Venclexta) and obinutuzumab (Gazyva), Stephens adds. The goal of the research is to determine whether early intervention with targeted agents can improve overall survival in this population, Stephens explains. The study is currently open and enrolling patients at multiple sites throughout the United States, Stephens concludes.