Sameer Parikh, MD

Dr. Shadman introduces sonrotoclax as a next-generation selective BCL-2 inhibitor approved for mantle cell lymphoma, with emerging CLL data in combination with zanubrutinib.

Dr. Coombs frames sequencing philosophy around patient age and disease trajectory.

Dr. Parikh summarizes the CLL17 trial: a 3-arm comparison of continuous ibrutinib, ibrutinib-venetoclax doublet, and venetoclax-obinutuzumab, all with approximately 3-year median follow-up showing no significant PFS difference between fixed-duration regimens and continuous ibrutinib.

Dr. Hoffmann frames long-term adherence as a practical challenge in continuous BTK inhibitor therapy.

Dr. Lipsky separates high-risk biomarkers conceptually, emphasizing TP53 aberrations and IGHV unmutated status should be considered distinctly rather than aggregated. TP53 aberrations—encompassing del(17p) and/or TP53 mutation—represent the highest-risk adverse predictive biomarkers across all CLL treatment strategies.

Dr. Shadman reviews SEQUOIA 6-year follow-up data, highlighting that zanubrutinib monotherapy continues demonstrating high efficacy regardless of del(17p) status. Key outcomes include 74% PFS at 6 years for del(17p)-negative patients (Arm A) and 64% for del(17p)-positive patients (Arm C, 111 patients representing the largest prospective BTK inhibitor cohort in this high-risk population).

Dr. Parikh highlights the CLL14 9-year follow-up data as among the most important datasets presented at EHA 2026. The study enrolled treatment-naïve patients with significant comorbidities (high CIRS score) randomized to venetoclax-obinutuzumab versus chlorambucil-obinutuzumab. With 9-year follow-up, the median PFS for venetoclax-obinutuzumab reaches approximately 6 years overall, with a remarkably striking finding for IGHV-mutated patients achieving median PFS of approximately 8.5 to 9 years.

Dr. Marc Hoffmann introduces the program on optimizing CLL treatment strategies, noting that CLL remains the most common adult leukemia in the Western world with approximately 20,000 new annual US diagnoses. The panel includes Drs. Catherine Coombs, Andrew Lipsky, Sameer Parikh, and Mazyar Shadman.

Closing out their discussion on novel treatment strategies in CLL, expert hematologist-oncologists address unmet needs and future directions in care.

An in-depth review of novel therapeutic targets making their way into clinical trials for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Following their discussion on novel therapeutic agents in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, panelists consider how these agents might be sequenced for optimal efficacy.

Expert perspectives on the novel use of ant-CD20 therapy as first-line or combination treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Key opinion leaders provide their perspective on the optimal management of high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia with novel therapeutic agents.

Clinical trial updates evaluating the combination of venetoclax with second-generation BTK inhibitors acalabrutinib and zanabrutinib, respectively.

Key updates from clinical trials evaluating the combination of venetoclax and ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Centering focus on the relapsed/refractory setting of CLL, panelists consider the use of fixed-duration venetoclax following updated clinical trial data in this setting.

Expert perspectives on the role of non-covalent BTK inhibitors in managing patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

A panel of key opinion leaders elucidates real-world data with BTK inhibitors in CLL and considers the importance of patient-reported outcomes on quality of life.

Comprehensive perspectives on clinical factors that help to inform the selection of appropriate BTK inhibitor therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Shared insight on and reactions to head-to-head comparison trials between novel BTK inhibitors in the setting of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Switching focus to the second-line setting, expert hematologist-oncologists evaluate the continued role of BTK inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Centering discussion on second-generation BTK inhibitors, expert panelists review clinical data behind first-line acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib, respectively.

A brief review of first-line BTK inhibition in chronic lymphocytic leukemia following the advent of ibrutinib, along with considerations for minimal residual disease testing in this setting.

Expert hematologist-oncologist Sonali Smith, MD, shares a brief overview of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), highlighting incidence, prognosis, and molecular subsets.

Sameer Parikh, MD, hematologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses the utilization and significance of the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)-International Prognostic Index (IPI).

Sameer Parikh, MD, hematologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses first-line therapy choices for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).