Dr. Al-Sawaf on the Benefit of Fixed-Duration Obinutuzumab/Venetoclax in CLL

Othman Al-Sawaf, MD, physician, the University Hospital of Cologne, discusses the benefit of fixed-duration treatment with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) plus venetoclax (Venclexta) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

In the phase 3 CLL14 trial (NCT02242942), investigators evaluated the efficacy and safety of fixed-duration obinutuzumab plus venetoclax vs obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil in patients with previously untreated CLL with preexisting conditions.

Five-year follow-up data showed that fixed-duration obinutuzumab plus venetoclax demonstrated a clear benefit, particularly regarding toxicity, Al-Sawaf says. Since adverse effects were observed only when patients were on treatment, the lack of prolonged toxicity gives fixed-duration treatment another advantage, Al-Sawaf concludes.