Following our live coverage of ASH, we interviewed a KOL who specializes in treating lymphoid malignancies to provide further insight on current and future paradigms for the treatment of CLL and NHLs.

Key Highlights

• High response rates for checkpoint inhibitors in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma may suggest long duration of response, but follow-up times are insufficient to draw conclusions.
• CAR-T cells (JUNO, NVS, KITE) have potential in DLBCL and for late-line treatment in some CLL patients, but current data do not strongly favor any particular CAR-T program.
• Venetoclax (ABT-199, ABBV) is highly effective in CLL, including relapsed/refractory and del17p patients and appears to be fairly well tolerated.
• Overall survival benefit for obinutuzumab (Gazyva, Roche) vs. rituximab, either with chlorambucil or bendamustine for CLL, or with CHOP for DLBCL, could compel improved obinutuzumab adoption.
• Tests for MRD negativity in CLL currently have limited utility outside of clinical trials since no evidence to guide treatment based on MRD status currently exists.