Dr. Stilgenbauer on Activity With Venetoclax in Patients With CLL

Stephen Stilgenbauer, MD, associate professor, Department of Haematology, Oncology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ulm, Germany, discusses the clinical activity seen with venetoclax in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), according to results of the open-label, single-arm, multicenter M13-982 study.

The overall response rate, the study’s primary endpoint, with venetoclax was 79.4%, Stilgenbauer explains, while a significant number of patients experienced a complete response (CR) or CR with incomplete platelet recovery. Additionally, more than 20% of patients who responded had minimal residual disease negativity.

Progression-free and overall survival endpoints were favorable in this patient population, he adds. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that venetoclax is a valuable treatment option. Next steps include combination studies of venetoclax and novel agents, such as ibrutinib.