Clinical trial for chronic lymphocytic leukemia produces ‘outstanding’ result

In a study published recently in Blood a group of researchers report outstanding results for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Researchers at the University of Leicester (Leicester, UK) enrolled 90 CLL patients from the UK and France on a clinical trial in January 2012, for which they now describe the long term follow-up for.

The clinical trial utilized a novel inhibitor ONO/GS-4059 for treatment of CLL and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patients.

Martin Dyer, University of Leicester explained the findings: “We are proud to be part of this study. Our long term follow up of previously treated patients shows maintained efficacy without toxicity. This study is the first report of long term follow-up of selective BTK inhibitors in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia — and it is excellent news for patients,”

The trial tested the efficacy of a new therapy ONO/GS-4059 which targets a bruton tyrosine kinase essential for sustained proliferation and differentiation of tumor cells.

Dyer added: “This current paper describes the long term follow up and shows that in patients with CLL the remissions are durable and associated with no new toxicities.”

In this latest study, 3 years after initial enrolment CLL patients were still receiving successful treatment with minimal toxicity. The therapy could provide hope for patients with untreatable CLL.

Dyer concluded: “We are now doing studies of ONO/GS-4059 in combination with other precision medicines to assess whether these results can be enhanced in patients with CLL and other B cell malignancies.”

Sources: Walter HS, Jayne S, Rule SA et al. Long-term follow-up of patients with CLL treated with selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors ONO/GS-4059 (2017); https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170427100634.htm