Dr. McKinney on Emerging Therapeutic Strategies in MCL

Matthew S. McKinney, MD, cellular therapy specialist, hematologic oncologist, hematologist (malignant), Duke Health, discusses emerging therapeutic strategies in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Similar to other B-cell lymphomas, novel agents, as well as strategies combining established agents are being investigated in MCL, McKinney explains.

The results of the phase 3 SYMPATICO trial (NCT03112174) comparing ibrutinib (Imbruvica) plus venetoclax (Venclexta) or ibrutinib plus placebo in patients with MCL are highly anticipated, McKinney says. The findings will determine whether the combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax can deepen responses and lead to minimal residual disease–negative remissions in the second- and later-line settings for this patient population.

Extrapolating from advances in other B-cell lymphomas, novel agents such as tafasitamab-cxix (Monjuvi), loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl (Zynlonta), and CD3- or CD20-directed bispecific T-cell engagers, could have utility alone or in combination regimens for patients with MCL. Moreover, these agents could provide treatment options for patients who are ineligible for CAR T-cell therapy or progress after BTK inhibitors or CAR T-cell therapy, McKinney concludes.