Novel Treatment Approaches to Relapsed/Refractory CLL

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FDA approvals for ibrutinib and idelalisib have made discussions about treating relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) less complicated, explains John C. Byrd, MD. There are several regimens available in the second-line setting for patients with CLL; however, ibrutinib and idelalisib have been shown to be more effective. The next step in optimizing treatment in this setting will be combination strategies, suggests Myron S. Czuczman, MD.

Early data have shown that complete remission rates in patients treated with ibrutinib and rituximab are not very different from that seen in patients treated with ibrutinib alone, Thomas J. Kipps, MD, notes. In addition, the possibilities of severe adverse events with some combinations must be examined before they are recommended. There are several factors to consider, such as the benefit of combinations versus risk coupled with costs and duration of use, when contemplating treatment regimens in relapsed/refractory CLL.