Dr. Phillips on the Next Steps With Venetoclax/Lenalidomide/Rituximab in MCL

Tycel Jovelle Phillips, MD, a clinical associate professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine at Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, discusses the next steps in evaluating the combination of venetoclax (Venclexta), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and rituximab (Rituxan) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

During the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting, findings from a phase 1 study (NCT03523975) demonstrated high response rates and rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with newly diagnosed MCL, including those with high-risk features.

In addition to obtaining more mature data, the study is expanding to enroll an additional 50 patients, says Phillips. Although the trial is nonrandomized, the data from the expansion portion of the study could enhance other published data that suggest transplant is not necessary for patients who achieve undetectable MRD, Phillips says. Limiting the use of transplant could minimize the risk of secondary complications from transplant in patients with newly diagnosed MCL, Phillips explains.

Additionally, further study is needed to identify an optimal regimen that can induce durable responses in patients with high-risk MCL, such as those who harbor p53 mutations, Phillips says. As such, novel combinations with a venetoclax/lenalidomide backbone are being evaluated, concludes Phillips.