Dr. Bhat on the Role of Targeted Therapies in CLL

Seema A. Bhat, MD, hematologist, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–James, discusses the role of targeted therapies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Historically, ibrutinib (Imbruvica) has played a key role in the ​treatment of patients with CLL, ​Bhat says. However, newer options such as ​the second-generation BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib (Calquence), as well as PI3K inhibitors​, ​have expanded the CLL armamentarium. 

Notably, the phase 3 ELEVATE CLL R/R trial (NCT02477696) is evaluating ibrutinib versus acalabrutinib in a head-to-head trial in the relapsed/refractory setting, says Bhat.

Targeted therapies can have some limitations, particularly with regard to safety, cost, and patient adherence to treatment. As the field​ accelerates forward, these factors must be addressed, Bhat concludes.