Dr. Chanan-Khan Discusses Ibrutinib and BR in CLL

Asher A. Chanan-Khan, MD, chair, Hematology/Oncology, Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, discusses the mechanism of action of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) combined with rituximab and bendamustine as treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Bendamustine has long been determined by researchers as an impactful treatment in CLL, Chanan-Khan explains. Rituximab also has known benefits in patients as an immunotherapy, while ibrutinib is able to directly target the cancer cells. This triplet provides different ways to target these cells and provide clinically meaningful benefits to patients, he adds.

However, it is too early to determine if this triplet has curative potential, Chanan-Khan says.