Idelalisib is being studied in three ongoing registration trials. [Study 116] was stopped early after idelalisib/rituximab demonstrated high efficacy in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL],” said Jennifer R. Brown, MD, PhD, Director of the CLL Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston. Dr. Brown moderated a press conference at the ASH Annual Meeting, where the results were discussed.

She pointed out that patients on this drug have a very rapid nodal response and start to feel better quickly, before their white blood cell counts start to improve. “Over time, the white counts also improve,” she said.

All of the new therapies, including idelalisib, make this an exciting time in the field of CLL, Dr. Brown continued. “The challenge is to decide when patients should receive idelalisib vs other emerging therapies for CLL. That’s the $64,000 question, isn’t it?” she said.

The next generation of studies will be aimed at evaluating combinations to determine how to sequence and deploy these new therapies, she said. ■

Disclosure: Dr. Brown has served as a consultant for Gilead Sciences.