Dr. Wang on the Pace of Progress in MCL

Michael Wang, MD, professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the pace of progress in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Research in MCL is one of the most rapidly progressing areas of hematology, if not oncology, says Wang. One of the areas that has seen the most development is targeted therapy in which there are now several indicated agents including ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and acalabrutinib (Calquence).

In addition to investigational single agents, combinations are also emerging, adds Wang. These combinations are more efficacious than the already potent monotherapies and are proving to be safe as well. Moreover, research into the biology is shedding light on optimal treatment approaches. For example, patients with high-risk MCL do not stay in remission with targeted therapy or chemotherapy, but now, researchers are investigating CAR T-cell therapy as a way to prolong remissions. One such product, lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel; JCAR017), is being investigated in the phase I TRANSCEND NHL 001 trial.