Dr. Winter on the Utility of PI3K Inhibitors in CLL

Allison Winter, MD, hematologist/medical oncologist, Cleveland Clinic, discusses the utility of PI3K inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients who have progressed on prior BTK inhibitor therapy and venetoclax (Venclexta)-based therapy should be considered for a PI3K inhibitor as standard of care or within the context of a clinical trial, says Winter.

Investigational PI3K inhibitors, such as zandelisib (ME-401), are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL. Moreover, the agent appears to have a more favorable immune-related toxicity profile compared with approved PI3K inhibitors, such as idelalisib (Zydelig) and duvelisib (Copiktra), Winter explains. Additionally, the PI3K inhibitor umbralisib is being tested in combination with other agents in a number of ongoing clinical trials in this space, concludes Winter.