This represents my current thinking on how to treat patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. New research changing fast so possibly outdated soon.
17. High Risk CLL Summary
High risk CLL includes abnormal TP53
(del17P/mut) or BIRC3 mutation
These patients die quickly with traditional
therapy
Novel agents most appropriate initial therapy in
high risk CLL
18. Untreated CLL
High RiskIntermediate(Very) Low Risk
Maximal
Tolerated
Therapy
Do No Harm Novel Agents
IgHV Mutated
No Int/High
Risk
SF3B1 / NOTCH1 /
11Q
IgHV Unmutated
17P / TP53
BIRC3
19. Untreated CLL
(Very) Low Risk
IgHV Mutated
No Int/High
Risk
Super Fit
Fit
Unfit
FCR
BR / BG
Gazyva
21. FCR vs BR in IgHV Mutated
Improved FCR outcomes only age < 65
Greater neutropenia and infection
More durable immune dysfunction
Greater secondary malignancy
22. What is Fitness?
• Median age MDA = 57
• Median age CLL8 = 61
• Median age SEER = 71
• Age associated with:
– Higher comorbidity
– Lower renal function
– More advanced disease
at treatment initiation
• Approximately 20% CLL
patients meet
enrollment criteria for
CLL 8/10 at first line rx
23. Mortality Following First Line Therapy
Setting Median Age Regimen 12 Month Mortality
MD Anderson 57 FCR 1%
German CLL8 61 FCR vs FC 4%
Community 74 Any 10%
29. Low Risk Summary
• (Very) Low risk CLL lacks 17P/11Q deletions or NOTCH1,
SF3B1, BIRC3, TP53 mutations
• When treated aggressively, high fraction with durable
response, many possibly cured
• Benefit of FCR primarily in patients with most favorable
genomics and ideal fitness with age less than 65
• Obinutuzumab is more effective than rituximab and is
appropriate therapy in patients not suitable for
chemoimmunotherapy – or in combination with
bendamustine on this trial
30. Untreated CLL
High RiskIntermediate(Very) Low Risk
Maximal
Tolerated
Therapy
Do No Harm Novel Agents
IgHV Mutated
No Int/High
Risk
SF3B1 / NOTCH1 /
11Q
IgHV Unmutated
17P / TP53
BIRC3
32. Untreated CLL
High RiskIntermediate(Very) Low Risk
Maximal
Tolerated
Therapy
Do No Harm Novel Agents
IgHV Mutated
No Int/High
Risk
SF3B1 / NOTCH1 /
11Q
IgHV Unmutated
17P / TP53
BIRC3
33. How I Manage Untreated CLL
High risk patients (17P/TP53/BIRC3) are treated
with novel agents preferably on trial
Low risk patients (No high/int risk markers) are
treated with maximal tolerated therapy. In
community setting FCR use is uncommon
Intermediate risk patients (no high risk, but have an
intermediate marker such as
11Q/SF3B1/NOTCH1/IgHV unmutated) do not
receive FCR but get either BR (BG) or Gazyva