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Considerations for Time-limited Treatment in 1L Treatment Selection Decisions

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Tune in to review the five-year off treatment analysis of a regimen for CLL in the frontline setting and considerations for time-limited treatment.

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  • Overview

    The CLL14 study evaluated fixed-duration venetoclax (VenO) versus chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (OClb) in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL),1,2 and further explores the potential benefits of time-limited treatment and other considerations when selecting first-line therapy for CLL. To learn more about the analysis results and their impact on CLL patients, join Dr. Jennifer Caudle as she speaks with Dr. Matthew Cortese, Assistant Professor of Oncology with the Departments of Medicine, Lymphoma section with a secondary appointment in Cancer Genetics and Genomics at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York.

  • VENETOCLAX Indication and Safety Overview

    Indication

    •VENETOCLAX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

    Important Safety Information

    Contraindication

    •Concomitant use of VENETOCLAX with strong CYP3A inhibitors at initiation and during ramp-up phase is contraindicated in patients with CLL/SLL due to the potential for increased risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).
     

    Tumor Lysis Syndrome

    •Tumor lysis syndrome, including fatal events and renal failure requiring dialysis, has occurred in patients treated with VENETOCLAX.
    •VENETOCLAX can cause rapid reduction in tumor and thus poses a risk for TLS at initiation and during the ramp-up phase in all patients, and during reinitiation after dosage interruption in patients with CLL/SLL. Changes in blood chemistries consistent with TLS that require prompt management can occur as early as 6 to 8 hours following the first dose of VENETOCLAX and at each dose increase. TLS, including fatal cases, has been reported after a single 20 mg dose.
    •In patients with CLL/SLL who followed the current (5 week) dose ramp-up and the TLS prophylaxis and monitoring measures, the rate of TLS was 2% in the VENETOCLAX CLL/SLL monotherapy trials. The rate of TLS remained consistent with VENETOCLAX in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab. With a 2- to 3-week dose ramp-up and higher starting dose in patients with CLL/SLL, the TLS rate was 13% and included deaths and renal failure.
     

    Tumor Lysis Syndrome (continued)

    •The risk of TLS is a continuum based on multiple factors, particularly reduced renal function, tumor burden, and type of malignancy. Splenomegaly may also increase the risk of TLS in patients with CLL/SLL.
    •Assess all patients for risk and provide appropriate prophylaxis for TLS, including hydration and anti-hyperuricemics. Monitor blood chemistries and manage abnormalities promptly. Employ more intensive measures (IV hydration, frequent monitoring, hospitalization) as overall risk increases. Interrupt dosing if needed; when restarting VENETOCLAX follow dose modification guidance in the Prescribing Information.
    •Concomitant use of VENETOCLAX with P-gp inhibitors or strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors increases venetoclax exposure, which may increase the risk of TLS at initiation and during the ramp-up phase, and requires VENETOCLAX dose reduction.
     

    Neutropenia

    •In patients with CLL, Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia developed in 63% to 64% of patients and Grade 4 neutropenia developed in 31% to 33% of patients when treated with VENETOCLAX in combination and monotherapy studies. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 4% to 6% of patients.
    •Monitor complete blood counts. Interrupt dosing for severe neutropenia and resume at same or reduced dose. Consider supportive measures including antimicrobials and growth factors (e.g., G-CSF).
     

    Infections

    •Fatal and serious infections such as pneumonia and sepsis have occurred in patients treated with VENETOCLAX. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection and treat promptly. Withhold VENETOCLAX for Grade 3 and 4 infection until resolution and resume at same or reduced dose.
     

    Immunization

    •Do not administer live attenuated vaccines prior to, during, or after treatment with VENETOCLAX until B-cell recovery occurs. Advise patients that vaccinations may be less effective.
     

    Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

    •VENETOCLAX may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 30 days after the last dose.
     

    Increased Mortality in Patients with Multiple Myeloma when VENETOCLAX is Added to Bortezomib and Dexamethasone

    •In a randomized trial (BELLINI; NCT02755597) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, the addition of VENETOCLAX to bortezomib plus dexamethasone, a use for which VENETOCLAX is not indicated, resulted in increased mortality. Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma with VENETOCLAX in combination with bortezomib plus dexamethasone is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.
     

    Adverse Reactions

    In patients with CLL receiving combination therapy with obinutuzumab, serious adverse reactions were most often due to febrile neutropenia and pneumonia (5% each). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (60%), diarrhea (28%), and fatigue (21%). Fatal adverse reactions that occurred in the absence of disease progression and with onset within 28 days of the last study treatment were reported in 2% (4/212) of patients, most often from infection.
    In patients with CLL receiving combination therapy with rituximab, the most frequent serious adverse reaction (≥5%) was pneumonia (9%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (65%), diarrhea (40%), upper respiratory tract infection (39%), fatigue (22%), and nausea (21%). Fatal adverse reactions that occurred in the absence of disease progression and within 30 days of the last VENETOCLAX treatment and/or 90 days of the last rituximab were reported in 2% (4/194) of patients.
    In patients with CLL/SLL receiving monotherapy, the most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were pneumonia (9%), febrile neutropenia (5%), and sepsis (5%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (50%), diarrhea (43%), nausea (42%), upper respiratory tract infection (36%), anemia (33%), fatigue (32%), thrombocytopenia (29%), musculoskeletal pain (29%), edema (22%), and cough (22%). Fatal adverse reactions that occurred in the absence of disease progression and within 30 days of venetoclax treatment were reported in 2% of patients in the VENETOCLAX monotherapy studies, most often (2 patients) from septic shock.
     

    Drug Interactions

    •Concomitant use with a P-gp inhibitor or a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor increases VENETOCLAX exposure, which may increase VENETOCLAX toxicities, including the risk of TLS. Consider alternative medications or adjust VENETOCLAX dosage and monitor more frequently for adverse reactions. Resume the VENETOCLAX dosage that was used prior to concomitant use of a P-gp inhibitor or a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor 2 to 3 days after discontinuation of the inhibitor.
    •Patients should avoid grapefruit products, Seville oranges, and starfruit during treatment as they contain inhibitors of CYP3A.
    •Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers.
    •Monitor international normalized ratio (INR) more frequently in patients receiving warfarin.
    •Avoid concomitant use of VENETOCLAX with a P-gp substrate. If concomitant use is unavoidable, separate dosing of the P-gp substrate at least 6 hours before VENETOCLAX.

    Lactation

    •Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with VENETOCLAX and for 1 week after the last dose.
     

    Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

    •Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VENETOCLAX and for 30 days after the last dose.
    •Based on findings in animals, VENETOCLAX may impair male fertility.

    Hepatic Impairment

    •Reduce the dose of VENETOCLAX for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C); monitor these patients more frequently for adverse reactions. No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) or moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment.
     
    Review full prescribing information for additional information at www.rxabbvie.com or contact AbbVie Medical Information at 1-800-633-9110 or go to abbviemedinfo.com.
     

    References:

    1. Venetoclax [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie, Inc and South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc.
    2. Fischer K, et al. Venetoclax and obinutuzumab in patients with CLL and coexisiting conditions. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(23):2225-2236. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1815281
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