Dr. Furman on Considering Factors for Upfront Therapy in CLL

Richard R. Furman, MD, Morton Coleman, M.D. Distinguished Associate Professor of Medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses factors to consider when choosing upfront therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

It’s important to keep in mind that the algorithm always needs to be tailored to the one that will show the highest efficacy and tolerability for the patient, Furman explains. Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) is his first-line choice for most patients who require treatment for their CLL.

However, there are some patients for whom ibrutinib might be less optimal for. In these cases, Furman will use obinutuzumab (Gazyva) or venetoclax (Venclexts) for treatment.