Dr. Wierda on RESONATE-2 Trial Predictions for Patients With CLL

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, medical director of the Leukemia Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, discusses upcoming RESONATE-2 trial results for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

RESONATE-2 is a phase III, randomized, multicenter, open-label study of elderly patients with CLL or SLL comparing ibrutinib to chlorambucil. In initial reports, Wierda expects results to demonstrate improved progression-free survival outcomes in patients receiving ibrutinib in the frontline setting. He predicts toxicity and tolerability will also improve.

It may be quite some time before overall survival differences are demonstrated, because patients can be salvaged with ibrutinib following chlorambucil, Wierda says.

This is based on findings in the RESONATE trial and similar single-arm trials with ibrutinib.