In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of idelalisib (Zydelig) and rituximab (Rituxan) in patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in a real-life setting.
This study concluded that this treatment in a real-life setting was just as effective as in a clinical trial setting.
Some background
Idelalisib is a targeted therapy that can be used for some types of blood cancers. Rituximab is an immune treatment known as a monoclonal antibody treatment. The combination of idealalisib and rituximab (IR) has shown good results in patients with r/r CLL in clinical trials. However, patients are carefully selected for clinical trials. They are commonly physically fit and do not have significant other medical conditions.
Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination IR in patients with r/r CLL in a real-life setting.
Methods & findings
This study involved 149 patients with r/r CLL who were treated with IR. Over half of the participants were older than 70 years and had lower kidney function. They were followed up for an average of 39.4 months.
The average survival without disease worsening was 22.9 months. The average overall survival was 44.5 months. 48% of patients were still being treated at 12 months. The overall response rate to the next treatments was 49.2%.
96% of patients had treatment breaks of 14 days or longer. Side effects were the same as those reported in clinical trials.
The bottom line
This study concluded that IR treatment in R/R CLL patients was just as effective in a real-life setting as in the clinical trials. It was also concluded that the IR treatment duration in a real-life setting was longer.
The fine print
This study did not directly compare patients.
Published By :
Hematological Oncology
Date :
Mar 19, 2021
