Dr. Stephens on Pivotal Data From ELEVATE-RR Trial in Previously Treated CLL

Deborah M. Stephens, DO, director of the CLL and Lymphoma Program, Huntsman Cancer Institute, discusses the phase 3 ELEVATE-RR trial (NCT02477696) comparing the safety and efficacy of acalabrutinib (Calquence) with ibrutinib (Imbruvica) in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 

Results from the study showed no difference in efficacy between the 2 agents with regard to progression-free survival, according to Stephens. However, acalabrutinib showed a more favorable toxicity profile compared with ibrutinib in these patients, Stephens adds.

Acalabrutinib is a feasible option for this population, and its favorable toxicity profile may result in increased utilization of the agent, Stephens concludes.