Key clinical point: The presence of one or more lymph nodes >56.5 mm before starting venetoclax is an independent risk factor for early progression during venetoclax therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Major finding: After a median follow up of 14.3 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached and the estimated 3‐year PFS rate was 54%. Multivariable analysis revealed a >56.5 mm diameter of at least one lymph node before therapy initiation to be a significant predictive factor for progression (adjusted hazard ratio 1.01; P =.005).
Study details: Findings are from a multicenter retrospective study including 128 patients with relapsed or refractory CLL treated with ibrutinib, idelalisib, or both who switched to venetoclax due to progression or adverse events, of which 28 patients experienced progressive disease.
Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Autore F et al. Lymphadenopathy as a predictor of progression during venetoclax treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A campus chronic lymphocytic leukemia study. Hematol Oncol. 2023 (Jul 1). Doi: 10.1002/hon.3199