Dr. Mead on the Clinical Significance of the MURANO Trial in CLL

Monica D. Mead, MD, clinical instructor, Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, discusses the clinical significance of the phase 3 MURANO trial in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Prior to the MURANO trial, the standard of care for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL was bendamustine/rituximab (Rituxan; BR), says Mead. However, the survival advantage demonstrated with venetoclax (Venclexta) plus rituximab vs BR in the MURANO trial established the novel regimen as the new standard salvage option for this patient population, Mead adds.

Moreover, the introduction of venetoclax/rituximab shifted the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory CLL away from chemotherapy-containing strategies, concludes Mead.