Dr. Jain on the Combination of Idelalisib and Rituximab for Older Patients With CLL

Nitin Jain, MD, assistant professor, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the efficacy and safety of the combination of idelalisib and rituximab for older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In a trial at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, patients over age 65 were treated with frontline idelalisib and rituximab. Significant efficacy was observed with the combination — 97% of patients responded.

After an average of 9 months after starting treatment, patients experienced colitis, including some grade 3 colitis (10/64).

Jain says there is activity with the combination, but that physicians need to be watchful of colitis in older patients.