Combination of Targeted Drugs to Control Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The landscape of treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is rapidly changing at present. Considerable improvement has been achieved with the introduction of the anti-CD20 antibodies, and chemoimmunotherapy has now become an established standard for patients without the high-risk features del(17p)/TP53 mutation. Also, the outcome of patients with these adverse genetic aberrations was dramatically improved with the introduction of the kinase inhibitors ibrutinib and idelalisib. Different combinations of these and additional novel agents are currently evaluated in clinical trials. The combination of the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib with an anti-CD20 antibody is an attractive option, because both drugs act synergistically: ibrutinib redistributes the CLL cells from their homing organs to the peripheral blood, and obinutuzumab eliminates the leukemic cells in the blood with particular efficiency. Adding the Bcl-2 antagonist venetoclax could further intensify the treatment of CLL. This combination might hold the potential to achieve a deep remission with an eradication of residual CLL cells and thus lead to long-term remissions of CLL.