Developments in CLL: MRD, LOXO-305 and venetoclax at ASH 2020

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy, predominantly affecting the elderly, which is characterized by an accumulation of immunologically immature lymphocytes in the bone marrow, blood and lymphatic tissue. CLL is the most common type of leukemia. It develops very slowly and is generally incurable, with relapses often occurring after treatment. The past decade has seen significant growth in treatment options for CLL patients. While chemotherapy is still often used, numerous effective targeted agents are approved for use in CLL, both first-line and for relapsed/refractory disease. These include venetoclax, a BCL2 inhibitor approved for use in CLL in 2019; ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor often used upfront; and monoclonal antibodies, including rituximab and obinutuzumab. The CLL field is currently seeing further exploration of targeted agents as well as trials of novel treatment combinations. In this exclusive podcast, Nitin Jain, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Anthony Mato, MD, and Meghan Thompson, MD, both from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, discuss some of the latest updates in CLL treatment presented at this year’s virtual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting.