• Bernard L Marini, Lisa Samanas, and Anthony J Perissinotti.
• Department of Pharmacy Services and Clinical Sciences, University of Michigan Health System and College of Pharmacy, USA.
• J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2017 Oct 1; 23 (7): 502-517.

AbstractTreatment options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common leukemia in the United States, have expanded rapidly in recent years. While traditional chemoimmunotherapy still remains a mainstay for young, fit patients, a number of novel targeted therapies have emerged that have changed the therapeutic landscape. Two innovative anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, obinutuzumab and ofatumomamab, have demonstrated activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and represent well-tolerated options in upfront management of elderly patients or in those with significant comorbidities. Agents targeting the B-cell receptor pathway, ibrutinib and idelalisib, have excellent activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, particularly in those patients with 17p deletions, in which responses to chemoimmunotherapy are traditionally dismal. Venetoclax (ABT-199), the recently FDA-approved BCL2 inhibitor, as well as several other agents and therapy combinations in the pipeline offer great promise for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, particularly in the relapsed/refractory setting. This article comprehensively reviews the data for novel agents in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, including the pharmacology of therapies, unique toxicities, and other practical management considerations for clinicians.

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