In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of two venetoclax (Venclexta) treatment regimes in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.
This study concluded that one of these regimes was safe and showed effectiveness in these patients. The recommended dose of venetoclax was also found.
Some background
New therapies that increase sensitivity for standard treatments may be useful in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This study investigates novel combinations of targeted therapies and chemotherapies.
Venetoclax, rituximab (Rituxan) and obinutuzumab (Gazyva) are targeted therapies. CHOP is a chemotherapy regimen used for the treatment of NHL. It includes cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), doxorubicin (adriamycin) and vincristine (Oncovin) and prednisone (Deltasone).
It is not known if venetoclax added to rituximab-CHOP (R-CHOP) or obinutuzumab-CHOP (G-CHOP) treatment regimens is safe and effective in patients with NHL.
Methods & findings
This study involved 56 patients who had mostly follicular lymphoma (FL) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). 24 patients received R-CHOP with venetoclax. 32 patients received G-CHOP treatment with venetoclax. Patients were followed for an average of 22 months.
Overall response rates were 87.5% for both the R-CHOP and G-CHOP groups. The complete response (CR; disappearance of all signs of cancer) rate was 79.2% for the R-CHOP group compared to 78.1% for the G-CHOP group. The response rate was similar across NHL types.
Cytopenia (low number of blood cells) was a common side effect in the G-CHOP group but were manageable. Nausea was another common side effect in both groups.
The bottom line
This study concluded that venetoclax plus R- or G-CHOP was safe and showed effectiveness in NHL.
The fine print
This was a small phase 1 study. Further larger studies are ongoing. This study received funding support from Genentech and AbbVie, the manufacturers of venetoclax.
What’s next?
Published By :
Blood
Date :
Mar 08, 2019
