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Final analysis of the GAIA/CLL13 trial: Venetoclax combinations vs chemoimmunotherapy in CLL

By Sheetal Bhurke

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Jul 30, 2025

Learning objective: After reading this article, learners will be able to cite a new clinical development in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.



The phase III GAIA/CLL13 trial (NCT02950051) demonstrated that the combinations of obinutuzumabvenetoclax (GV) and obinutuzumab + ibrutinib + venetoclax (GIV) achieved superior progression-free survival (PFS) compared with rituximab + venetoclax (RV) and chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, no significant differences were observed between the GIV and GV groups. During the European Hematology Association 2025 Congress, Arnon Kater presented the final analysis from the GAIA/CLL13 trial assessing the efficacy and safety of GV vs GIV vs RV vs CIT in treatment-naïve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and no TP53 mutations.1

A total of 926 patients were randomized to receive GV (n = 229), GIV (n = 231), RV (n = 237) or CIT (n = 229). The primary endpoints were undetectable measurable residual disease at 15 months and PFS. At the final analysis, the median follow-up was 63.8 months.

Key learnings

At 15 months, 66.2%, 60.03%, 23.6%, and 22.7% of patients in the GIV, GV, RV, and CIT groups achieved NGS MRD (×10−6), respectively. In all groups, PFS was prolonged in patients with uMRD level of >10−6 vs <10−6.

The 5-year PFS rates were highest in the GIV group compared to the GV, RV, and CIT groups (81.3%, 69.8%, 57.4%, and 50.7%, respectively). GIV demonstrated superior PFS compared to GV (HR, 0.61; p = 0.005), RV (HR, 0.35; p < 0.001), and CIT (HR, 0.34; p < 0.001).

Unmuted vs mutated IGHV was an independent prognostic factor for shorter PFS in GIV (HR, 2.07; p = 0.02), GV (HR, 2.68; p < 0.001), RV (HR, 2.17; p < 0.001), and CIT (HR, 3.55; p < 0.001) groups. 

The incidence of SPM (2.2 vs 1.2 vs 1.5 vs 2.0 events/1000 patient-months) was higher in the GIV group compared with the GV, RV, and CIT groups, while the incidence of NMSC (0.7 vs 1.1 vs 1.1 vs 2.2 events/1000 patient-months) and Richter’s syndrome (0.2 vs 0.6 vs 0.5 vs 0.5 events/1000 patient-months) was lower.

GIV and GV combinations showed superior PFS compared to CIT and RV. However, factors like tolerability, QoL, and OS should be considered when comparing GIV and GV.

CIT, chemoimmunotherapy; GIV, Obinutuzumab + ibrutinib + venetoclax; GV, Obinutuzumab + venetoclax; HR, hazard ratio; IGHV, immunoglobulin heavy chain variable; MRD, measurable residual disease; NGS, next-generation sequencing; NMSC, non-melanoma skin cancer; OS, overall survival; PFS, progression-free survival; QoL, quality of life; RV, rituximab + venetoclax; SPM, secondary primary malignancy; uMRD, undetectable measurable residual disease.   

References

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