Venetoclax for chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with 17p deletion

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of venetoclax in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with 17p deletion. This study concluded that venetoclax is effective in this group of patients.

17p deletion chronic lymphocytic leukemia (17p del CLL) is a type of CLL that has a poor prognosis.Venetoclax (Venclexta) is a BCL2 inhibitor. This treatment has been approved for patients with 17p del CLL who have already undergone at least one other type of treatment. The safety and effectiveness of venetoclax is still under investigation.

This study involved 158 patients with relapsed/refractory or previously untreated 17p del CLL. Patients had an average of two prior therapies. 71% of patients had TP53 mutation. 48% had lymph nodes that were greater than or equal to 5 cm. All patients received 400 mg of venetoclax per day.

Patients were treated for an average of 23.1 months and participated in the study for an average of 26.6 months. The response rate (cancer shrinks/disappears after treatment) was 77%. 20% of patients who responded reached complete remission (all signs of cancer gone). Progression free-survival (PFS, time from treatment until disease progression) at 24 months was 54%.

16 patients received prior treatment with kinase inhibitors. These patients had a response rate of 63%. These patients had 24-month PFS of 50%.

30% of all patients achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) below the cutoff point. MRD is when only a small number of cancer cells remain.

The most common serious negative effects were neutropenia (40%, low white blood cell levels), low levels of platelets (15%) and low red blood cell levels (15%). Less serious effects included diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. 

This study concluded that venetoclax is effective in patients with 17p CLL. Venetoclax also leads to a high rate of MRD.

Consult your physician about venetoclax as a treatment option for 17p CLL.