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Review
. 2018 Oct 3;8(10):93.
doi: 10.1038/s41408-018-0131-2.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment algorithm 2018

Sameer A Parikh  1
Affiliations
Review

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment algorithm 2018

Sameer A Parikh. Blood Cancer J. .

Abstract

The treatment landscape for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has changed considerably with the introduction of very effective oral targeted therapies (such as ibrutinib, idelalisib, and venetoclax), and next-generation anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (such as obinutuzumab). These agents lead to improved outcomes in CLL, even among patients with high-risk features, such as del17p13 or TP53 mutation and unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGHV) genes. Each of these treatments is associated with a unique toxicity profile; in the absence of randomized data, the choice of one type of treatment over another depends on the co-morbidities of the patient. Chemoimmunotherapy still plays an important role in the management of previously untreated CLL patients, particularly among young fit patients who have standard risk FISH profile and mutated IGHV genes. Richter's transformation of CLL remains a difficult complication to treat, although therapy with programmed death 1 inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab has shown impressive responses in a subset of patients. Our ability to risk stratify CLL patients continues to evolve; the CLL-International Prognostic Index (CLL-IPI) is the best validated tool in predicting time to first therapy among previously untreated patients. This review summarizes the current approach to risk stratification and management of CLL patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Research funding has been provided to the institution from Pharmacyclics, MorphoSyS, Janssen, AbbVie, and AstraZeneca for clinical studies in which Sameer A. Parikh is a principal investigator. Sameer A. Parikh has also participated in Advisory Board meetings of Pharmacyclics, AstraZeneca, Gilead, and AbbVie (he was not personally compensated for his participation).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Suggested approach to the management of patients with newly diagnosed CLL who do not meet the 2018 IWCLL criteria for therapy
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Suggested approach to the management of patients with previously untreated CLL who meet the 2018 IWCLL criteria for therapy (outside the context of clinical trials)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Suggested approach to the management of patients with relapsed/refractory CLL (outside the context of clinical trials)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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