Dr. Flynn on Obinutuzumab for the Treatment of CLL

Joseph M. Flynn, DO, MPH, co-director, Division of Hematology; co-director, LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence; medical director, James Survivorship Clinics, The Ohio State University, James Cancer Hospital, discusses the results of the phase II GAGE study, which compared 1000 mg vs 2000 mg of obinutuzumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Previous trials examining the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab in CLL demonstrated single-agent activity with suggestion of a dose response. In this phase II multicenter study, the overall response rate (ORR) among 80 total patients was 67% in the 2000 mg arm vs 49% in the 1000 mg arm. However, this data was not statistically significant. The safety profile was consistent with other monoclonal antibodies.