In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the safety of a combination of olaptesed pegol, bendamustine, and rituximab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
This study concluded that olaptesed pegol was safe and the combination was effective in these patients.
Some background
Olaptesed pegol (NOX-A12) is a targeted therapy that binds to chemokines and prevents the growth and migration of cancer cells. Chemokines instruct the cell what to do and when they are blocked this leads to cell death. Bendamustine (Treanda) is a chemotherapy for CLL. Rituximab (Rituxan) is a targeted therapy used to treat certain types of cancer.
It was unknown if combining these three treatments would be safe and effective in patients with CLL.
Methods & findings
This study involved 28 patients with relapsed or unresponsive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Patients received olaptesed pegol in combination with bendamustine and rituximab. 10 patients received escalating doses of olaptesed pegol before the combination treatment to investigate safety.
Treatment with olaptesed pegol alone was safe and no dose-limiting side effects were seen.
The overall response rate was 86% for those who received the combination treatment. 11% of these patients achieved a complete response (no sign of cancer left) and 75% achieved a partial response. There were 10 high-risk patients in this study and all responded to treatment.
The average progression-free survival (PFS – survival without the disease getting worse) was 15.4 months. The average overall survival was not achieved by more than 80% of patients who were alive after 28 months.
The bottom line
This study concluded that olaptesed pegol was safe the combination with bendamustine and rituximab was safe and effective in patients with CLL.
The fine print
This study had a very small number of participants. Further studies are needed.
What’s next?
Consult your physician about olaptesed pegol trials.
Published By :
Haematologica
Date :
May 16, 2019
