Current and Emerging Drug Therapies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract

Until recently, chemoimmunotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment approach in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients requiring intervention. With the emergence of targeted treatments, there has been a shift in CLL therapy. With a better understanding of disease biology and risk stratification, a tailored approach based on patient age and comorbidities has evolved over time. The development of new and potent, next generation CD20 antibodies has refined therapy options especially for elderly unfit patients. Furthermore, agents targeting important pathways involved in proliferation and survival of CLL cells including B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling have provided additional treatment options in traditionally chemo-refractory CLL. Given the rapidly expanding repertoire of drugs, current research is focused on optimizing treatment sequence, duration of treatment and assessing long-term toxicities. Several immune mediated therapies are emerging and new combinations are being tested to re-establish antitumor immune effector response in CLL. While embracing the advances in CLL therapy, a few longstanding lessons remain. There is still little role of treatment of asymptomatic individuals. This review presents an overview of current and emerging drug therapies in the rapidly changing area of CLL treatment.