Dr. Redner on the Activity of Venetoclax in AML

Robert L. Redner, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist, and professor of medicine, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, discusses the activity of venetoclax (Venclexta) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Venetoclax has opened several doors in the AML space and has served as a testament to the power of targeted therapy, says Redner. The BCL-2 inhibitor was the first targeted agent that demonstrated activity in elderly patients, he adds. In AML, the agent is indicated for use in combination with either azacitidine, decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine. When used in combination with either decitabine or azacitidine, response rates are very high; the complete response rate is approximately 70%.

It remains to be seen how durable these remissions will be, says Redner. The combinations are currently approved for frontline treatment for the elderly population. An advantage of these combinations is that they’re very well tolerated overall. Furthermore, venetoclax used primarily as outpatient therapy, concludes Redner.