The BCL-2 protein family members inhibit cellular apoptosis, and their overexpression represents a common survival adaption in cancer. Recently, a selective BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-199, venetoclax, has demonstrated remarkable activity in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), both as a single agent and in combination with anti-CD20 immunotherapies, such as rituximab. In this article, we review the development and latest clinical data that have led to the expanded approval of venetoclax with rituximab in relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL. We also discuss ongoing and future clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of venetoclax in previously untreated patients and to investigate venetoclax combinations with inhibitors of B-cell receptor signaling pathway. These studies hope to offer an expanded list of chemotherapy-free regimens for patients with CLL/SLL.
Keyphrases
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- diffuse large b cell lymphoma
- clinical trial
- signaling pathway
- acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- end stage renal disease
- ejection fraction
- oxidative stress
- chronic kidney disease
- newly diagnosed
- epithelial mesenchymal transition
- cell death
- electronic health record
- papillary thyroid
- squamous cell carcinoma
- machine learning
- peritoneal dialysis
- transcription factor
- locally advanced
- randomized controlled trial
- current status
- young adults
- deep learning
- phase iii
- data analysis
- rectal cancer
- induced apoptosis
- study protocol