Dr. Ghia on Efficacy and Safety of Acalabrutinib in Relapsed/Refractory CLL

Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD, a professor of Medical Oncology and the director of the Strategic Research Program on CLL and the B Cell Neoplasia Unit at Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, discusses the efficacy and safety of acalabrutinib (Calquence) in the phase 3 ASCEND trial in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 

Final data from the trial were presented at the 2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program, and showed favorable efficacy with acalabrutinib over the physician’s choice of rituximab (Rituxan) in combination with either idelalisib (Zydelig) or bendamustine. Acalabrutinib is a second-generation BTK inhibitor, and BTK inhibition is a mainstay in the treatment of patients with CLL, says Ghia. Acalabrutinib appears to be very effective when compared with novel agent, such as idelalisib, plus rituximab, or a standard chemotherapy, such as bendamustine, plus rituximab. The data observed with acalabrutinib are comforting and prove that this agent is another tool that can be added to the treatment armamentarium, says Ghia.

Additionally, acalabrutinib showed a favorable toxicity profile and appeared to be safer than the combination of idelalisib plus rituximab, with a lower frequency of treatment discontinuation, concludes Ghia.