Dr. Brown on Lessons Learned From RESONATE-2 Trial for CLL

Jennifer Brown, MD, PhD, director, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Center, senior physician, associate professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses the lessons oncologists have learned from the RESONATE-2 trial, which showed a benefit with ibrutinib (Imbruvica) over chlorambucil in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

There is less to be learned from this trial's findings than what oncologists may believe, Brown explains. The 18-month progression-free survival rate seen with ibrutinib in the study population, which is comprised of patients over the age of 65 with no comorbidities, is not surprising, she adds.

Longer-term follow-up will likely provide more information to the community, especially as there were some associated toxicities seen with ibrutinib. These events include hypertension, hemorrhage, and 2 sudden deaths.