ASH Round-Up: Focus on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

This week on DocWire, we covered the latest breaking research on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2021 Annual Meeting, covering new treatments, advances in patient care, and more.

More Coverage from ASH 2021

• New Data on CAR T-Cell Therapies
• Focus on Graft Versus Host Disease
• Updates in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

What Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

CLL is a type of cancer impacting the lymphocytes. CLL is closely related to small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), as small lymphocytes (a type of cancer cell) are present in both diseases. CLL presents in the blood and bone marrow, while SLL mainly presents in the lymph nodes and spleen.

New Data on First-Line Therapies for CLL

At ASH 2021, several new studies highlighted updated data on upfront therapies for newly diagnosed or untreated CLL/SLL.

Zanubrutinib Plus Venetoclax as First-Line Therapy for CLL/SLL With Del17p

Preliminary data from a nonrandomized arm of the SEQUOIA trialsuggested that the combination of zanubrutinib and venetoclax was well-tolerated among treatment-naïve patients with CLL/SLL and the high-risk genomic abnormality del17p.

https://www.docwirenews.com/conference-coverage/ash-conference-coverage/ash-cll/zanubrutinib-plus-venetoclax-as-first-line-therapy-for-cll-sll-with-del17p/

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High Rate of Undetectable MRD with Venetoclax-Based Regimen 

Time-limited treatment with bendamustine, rituximab, and venetoclax was associated with high rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) remission in a phase II study of adults with untreated CLL.

https://www.docwirenews.com/conference-coverage/high-rate-of-undetectable-mrd-with-venetoclax-based-regimen-in-untreated-cll/

More from ASH on front-line CLL treatments:

1. Study Finds First-Line Targeted Treatment for CLL Is Beneficial in Elderly Patients
2. Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax Induces Deep Responses in Previously Untreated CLL
3. A Randomized Phase III Study of Venetoclax-Based Time-Limited Combination Treatments Versus Standard Therapy 

Updates in Care for Patients with CLL

Several new studies utilized real-world data to assess current trends and opportunities in management of CLL/SLL.

Real-World Study Illuminates Shifting Treatment Trends

An analysis of real-world data regarding the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed that standards of care are shifting from chemoimmunotherapy to targeted therapies.

https://www.docwirenews.com/conference-coverage/real-world-study-illuminates-shifting-cll-treatment-trends/

Assessing Costs and Resource Utilization of Hospital-Based Care Among Patients with B-Cell Malignancies

Patients with B-cell lymphomas, including CLL, have high hospital costs associated with disease relapse, especially among minority populations, according to a study.

https://www.docwirenews.com/conference-coverage/ash-conference-coverage/ash-cll/assessing-costs-and-resource-utilization-of-hospital-based-care-among-patients-with-b-cell-malignancies/

Want to See More from ASH?

Check out last week’s ASH Round-Up, and be sure to keep up with the latest oncology news and cancer research here on DocWire, updated daily!