Joseph M. Flynn, DO, MPH, co-director, Division of Hematology; co-director, LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence; medical director, James Survivorship Clinics, The Ohio State University, James Cancer Hospital, discusses the results of the phase II GAGE study, which compared 1000 mg vs 2000 mg of obinutuzumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Previous trials examining the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab in CLL demonstrated single-agent activity with suggestion of a dose response. In this phase II multicenter study, the overall response rate (ORR) among 80 total patients was 67% in the 2000 mg arm vs 49% in the 1000 mg arm. However, this data was not statistically significant. The safety profile was consistent with other monoclonal antibodies.

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Joseph M. Flynn, DO, MPH, discusses the results of the phase II GAGE study, which compared 1000 mg vs 2000 mg of obinutuzumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Dr. Flynn on Obinutuzumab for the Treatment of CLL

Joseph M. Flynn, DO, MPH, co-director, Division of Hematology; co-director, LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence; medical director, James Survivorship Clinics, The Ohio State University, James Cancer Hospital, discusses the impact ibrutinib has had on treating hematologic malignancies.

Flynn says the approval of ibrutinib is one of the most exciting discoveries in the last two decades. In CLL, this drug has changed the way that patients can be treated following relapse. This agent is well tolerated in most patients but physicians typically avoid giving this agent to patients taking blood thinners, Flynn says.

Some mutations that may be associated with resistance to ibrutinib have been identified. Hopefully, Flynn says, this will allow physicians with a better sense of who to target.

Dr. Flynn Discusses Ibrutinib for Hematologic Malignancies

Joseph M. Flynn, DO, MPH, FACP, co-director, Division of Hematology, associate physician-in-chief, OSUCCC - James, discusses cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Most CDK inhibitors have been looked at in both solid and liquid tumors, Flynn says. CDK inhibitors have been looked at in CLL because it is preferable to treat the disease with an agent that has a low toxicity profileâ€‹.

CDK inhibitors have an interesting history in CLL. Alvocidib (flavopiridol) was looked at first, but did not demonstrate much activity. Nevertheless, alvocidib opened the door for other CDK inhibitors in this disease, like dinaciclib.

View more from the 2014 AACR Annual Meeting

Joseph M. Flynn, DO

Articles

Dr. Flynn on Obinutuzumab for the Treatment of CLL

Dr. Flynn Discusses Ibrutinib for Hematologic Malignancies

Dr. Flynn on CDK Inhibitors for the Treatment of CLL