Using Idelalisib Instead of Chemotherapy to Treat CLL

Richard R. Furman, MD, a member of the Lymphoma/Myeloma Service in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, discusses the ability to avoid the administration of chemotherapy when using novel agents, such as idelalisib, to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Clinical Pearls:

• Using novel agents, such as idelalisib, instead of chemotherapy allows the patient to experience fewer serious adverse events
• Chemotherapy side effects include immunosuppression, myelosuppression, and the long-term risk of bone marrow failure and secondary cancers
• The avoidance of these side effects should prompt all physicians to consider avoiding chemotherapy treatment strategies whenever possible