Dr. Seymour on the Efficacy Ibrutinib Versus Chemoimmunotherapy in Older Patients With CLL

Erlene Seymour, MD, an assistant clinical professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine and a hematologist/oncologist at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, discusses the use of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) versus chemoimmunotherapy in older patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Data from a randomized phase 3 trial (NCT01886872) revealed that treatment with ibrutinib led to improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus treatment with bendamustine and rituximab (Rituxan; BR) in older patients with previously untreated CLL.

Additional analyses showed that patients with IGHV-mutated CLL experienced longer PFS versus patients with IGHV-unmutated disease.

The observed safety profile of ibrutinib was as expected and included atrial fibrillation, bleeding, and diarrhea. However, higher rates of hypertension were observed compared with clinical experience, concludes Seymour.