ASCO 2018 | Ibrutinib plus venetoclax shows promising efficacy in CLL

On Sunday 3^rd June an oral abstract session took place at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Abstract 7502 was presented by William Wierda, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, on the phase II CAPTIVATE study (NCT02910583).

The study assessed the use of ibrutinib plus venetoclax as first-line treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A total of 164 patients with treatment-naïve CLL were included in the trial. They were treated with 420mg ibrutinib once daily for 3 cycles and then intravenous venetoclax up to 400mg once daily for 12 cycles. If minimal residual disease (MRD) was confirmed detectable then patients were randomized to receive either placebo or ibrutinib. If MRD was undetectable, not confirmed then patients were randomized to receive either ibrutinib or ibrutinib plus venetoclax (I+V).

Key Findings

• It was found that 3 cycles of ibrutinib lead-in reduced tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) risk and bulky disease. Additionally, out of 40 patients with high baseline TLS risk, 90% shifted to medium or low risk
• 77% patients receiving I+V had undetectable MRD in peripheral blood after 6 cycles and after 12 cycles, 79% had confirmed undetectable MRD
• No new safety signals emerged and adverse events were consistent with the historic safety profiles

Dr Wierda concluded that “these early results show a highly active and safe treatment with 12 cycles of combined treatment with ibrutinib and venetoclax.” See below for an interview with Dr Wierda discussing the study results.