Dr. Choi on the Utility of Duvelisib in CLL

Michael Choi, MD, a medical staff physician and associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center, discusses the utility of duvelisib (Copiktra) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

In September 2018, duvelisib was approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma or relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma after ≥2 prior therapies. Patients with CLL who are eligible for duvelisib have typically received a BTK inhibitor and venetoclax (Venclexta), says Choi.

PI3K inhibitors like duvelisib can also be used for patients with bleeding disorders or who require a strong anticoagulant agent, explains Choi.

Currently, duvelisib is being explored in combinations with venetoclax and obinutuzumab (Gazyva) in clinical trials. Pending the results of these trials, duvelisib may be moved into earlier lines of treatment for these patients, concludes Choi.