CLL Treatment
- The drug obinutuzumab is now being combined with two targeted-therapy agents in certain treatment plans to potentially increase it effectiveness
- The drugs are the BTK inhibitor, which targets the BTK protein, and a BCL2 inhibitor such as venetoclax
- One potential side effect is an entity called tumor lysis syndrome, where the cells die all at the same time and can cause kidney or electrolyte problems
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and acalabrutinib (Calquence) with/without obinutuzumab (Gazyva) are the preferred first treatment for all previously untreated patients.
Read MoreThe other drugs are:
- A BTK inhibitor, which is an oral drug that targets a protein on the B cells called Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK)
- A BCL2 inhibitor such as venetoclax, also taken orally, that targets the protein BCL2
When obinutuzumab is combined with these other drugs, says Dr. Vose, it more effectively targets and kills CLL cells.
What Are the Potential Side Effects?
“The issue with CLL is that if the patient has a lot of cells, they can be [susceptible] to a disease or entity called ‘tumor lysis syndrome,'” says Dr. Vose. “That’s where the cells — because the treatment is so effective — die all at the same time.”
Tumor lysis syndrome can cause kidney problems, as well as an imbalance of electrolytes.
Patients receiving obinutuzumab need to be monitored carefully during treatment. This may require hospitalization during their first treatment and, possible, for subsequent treatments.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
