Dr. Al-Sawaf on the Next Steps of the CLL14 Trial in CLL

Othman Al-Sawaf, MD, a physician with the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany, discusses the next steps of the CLL14 trial in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 

Findings from the randomized, phase 3 CLL14 trial, which were presented virtually during the 2020 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition, demonstrated that the combination of venetoclax (Venclexta) and obinutuzumab (Gazyva) may be more effective in eliminating minimal residual disease (MRD) and clonal growth compared with standard chlorambucil and obinutuzumab in patients with CLL.

Looking forward, the field will continue to closely examine data regarding MRD and clonal growth in different patient subgroups, says Al-Sawaf. In addition, a 9-year follow-up analysis of the CLL14 study is underway to further understand long-term outcomes of this regimen. Finally, the role of retreatment with venetoclax will be evaluated in patients with CLL who previously received venetoclax and obinutuzumab in the frontline setting, Al-Sawaf concludes.