Dr. Ghia on Updated ASCEND Trial Results in Relapsed/Refractory CLL

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

At the 2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program, final data from the ASCEND trial continued to show favorable efficacy with acalabrutinib (Calquence) over physician’s choice of rituximab (Rituxan) in combination with either idelalisib (Zydelig) or bendamustine.

At a median follow-up of 22 months, the median progression-free survival had not yet been reached with acalabrutinib versus 16.8 months with physician’s choice. Additionally, at 18 months of follow up, 82% of patients were alive and free from disease progression with acalabrutinib compared with 48% with the control regimen. 

Acalabrutinib demonstrated continued tolerability and no unexpected safety signals were observed, concludes Ghia.