Dr. Kambhampati on BCL-2 Inhibition in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Suman Kambhampati, MD, co-medical director, Blood Cancer Program, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses BCL-2 inhibition in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Physicians have seen tremendous results with BCL-2 inhibitors, particularly with venetoclax (Venclexta), says Kambhampati. Venetoclax has been used in combination with hypomethylating agents. In a phase Ib study published in The Lancet Oncology venetoclax in combination with a hypomethylating agent induced complete remissions in 61% of patients aged 65 years or older. Sixty-three percent of patients showed a response to the combination, which included complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete marrow recovery in 61% (95% CI, 47.6-74.0).

The BCL-2 inhibitor may be one drug that can overcome mutations. A lot of the mutations seen in AML patients coexist, says Kambhampati, which increases the resistance to treatment. Early data suggest that venetoclax could overcome chemotherapy resistance both in patients with standard-risk AML and high-risk AML, states Kambhampati.