abt-199 and Nausea

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a mediator in B cell receptor signaling has been successfully exploited as a therapeutic target in treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Ibrutinib is a BTK inhibitor that has shown excellent efficacy in treatment-naïve, heavily pre-treated, and high-risk CLL/SLL. With remarkable efficacy, good oral bioavailability, and modest adverse events profile, ibrutinib use is likely to continue to increase. As data with ibrutinib use in CLL matures, concerns regarding adverse events and drug resistance have emerged. New insights into mechanisms of ibrutinib resistance in CLL have uncovered potential therapeutic targets. Several promising novel agents are currently in early phases of development for overcoming ibrutinib resistance in CLL/SLL. We provide a comprehensive analysis of emerging adverse events profile of ibrutinib, summarize our current understanding of ibrutinib resistance in CLL, and review promising novel therapeutic tools to overcome this challenge.

Topics: Adenine; Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase; Benzamides; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Diarrhea; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Nausea; Piperidines; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Pyrazines; Pyrazoles; Pyrimidines; Signal Transduction; Sulfonamides

Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) have limited treatment options. Venetoclax is a potent BCL-2 inhibitor that induces apoptosis in CLL cells. This open-label, phase 1/2 study (NCT02265731) evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of venetoclax in Japanese patients with R/R CLL/SLL. Patients enrolled in phase 1 received 400 mg/day venetoclax monotherapy. Patients enrolled in phase 2 received 400 mg/day venetoclax, plus rituximab. Venetoclax was administered with a weekly stepwise ramp-up in doses. In phase 2, efficacy was evaluated by objective response rate (ORR). Twelve patients were enrolled, six in each arm. The most common grade ≥ 3 adverse events were neutropenia (83%), lymphopenia (67%), leukopenia (33%), and thrombocytopenia (17%). Patients receiving venetoclax monotherapy achieved an ORR of 100%, including a complete remission (CR) rate of 17%. Patients receiving combination therapy had an ORR of 67% and a CR rate of 50%. The venetoclax pharmacokinetics profile in Japanese patients was similar to that of Western patients. Venetoclax 400 mg/day monotherapy or in combination with rituximab was well-tolerated and induced promising responses in Japanese patients with R/R CLL/SLL. Although patient numbers were small, the safety profile was largely consistent with other Western studies. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT02265731.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Female; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Japan; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Nausea; Neoplasm Proteins; Progression-Free Survival; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Rituximab; Sulfonamides; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Azacitidine; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Hematologic Diseases; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Leukemia, Biphenotypic, Acute; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Nausea; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; Sulfonamides; Transplantation, Haploidentical; Treatment Outcome; Vomiting