Antibody-chemotherapy combinations are a standard treatment for hematological malignancies, and with an increase in small molecules coming through the pharmaceutical pipeline, the question is now will these be as effective in combination with chemotherapy? In this interview, Susan OBrien, MD, of the University of California, Irvine, CA, discusses an interesting study presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta, GA. This Phase II trial investigated the effect of ibrutinib plus rituximab vs. ibrutinib monotherapy (NCT02007044) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Speaking from the meeting, Prof. OBrien discusses the results observed, the reasoning behind these results and questions for further study.
Small molecule-chemotherapy combinations: ibrutinib plus rituximab for CLL
