Dr. Wierda on Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax in CLL

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, medical director of the Leukemia Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses a clinical trial exploring the combination of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) plus venetoclax (Venclexta) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

In the clinical trial that is being conducted out of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, patients are treated with ibrutinib for 3 months, followed by up to 2 years of the combination with venetoclax (NCT02756897). Wierda, who says he is very excited about the study, says that early findings suggest the combination has activity.

While ibrutinib can shrink lymph nodes, the agent is not as effective at clearing blood or bone marrow of disease. In contrast, venetoclax is effective at these 2 tasks. Clinically, they are complimentary agents.