Ibrutinib as Treatment for Patients with CLL

Alessandra Ferrajoli, MD, associate professor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses ibrutinib, which was recently approved for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one previous therapy.

Clinical Pearls:

• Ibrutinib demonstrates good activity, especially in the lymph nodes, and has a favorable toxicity profile
• Patients respond well to the agent and see an improvement in their quality of life
• Now that the drug is approved, physicians are able to offer the agent to patients who did not qualify to take part in clinical trials
• Future clinical trials are being designed to exploring the combination of ibrutinib with other agents