Dr. Barr on Exploring U2 Plus Venetoclax in Relapsed/Refractory CLL

Paul M. Barr, MD, an associate professor of medicine and director of the Clinical Trials Office at the Wilmot Cancer Institute of the University of Rochester Medical Center, discusses exploring umbralisib (TGR-1202) plus ublituximab (TGTX-1101; U2) plus venetoclax (Venclexta) in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Findings from a multicenter, phase 1/2 study, which were presented virtually during the 2020 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition, demonstrated encouraging efficacy and a manageable safety profile among patients with relapsed/refractory disease. In the trial, patients received 3 cycles of U2 followed by 400 mg of venetoclax, which was continued for 9 cycles. Notably, ublituximab is a novel glycoengineered CD20-directed monoclonal antibody, and umbralisib is a small molecule inhibitor that targets PI3Kδ and CK1ε, Barr says.

 Within the first 3 cycles of U2, all patients responded, including those who were previously relapsed/refractory to a BTK inhibitor. Moreover, the combination decreased tumor burden and effectively reduced the risk of tumor lysis syndrome for these patients, Barr concludes.