iwCLL 2021 | The treatment of classical and variant hairy cell leukemia
Tadeusz Robak, MD, PhD, of the Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland, discusses the current challenges of treating hairy cell leukemia. BRAF- and MEK-inhibitor class drugs are associated with positive clinical outcomes in classical hairy cell leukemia patients, who possess BRAF mutations. In contrast, variant hairy cell leukemia patients exhibit shorter progression-free survival (PFS) rates, less pronounced remission, and do not respond to BRAF inhibitors. Future investigations for classical hairy cell leukemia should compare the safety and efficacy of treatment regimens that include BRAF inhibitors and rituximab against those consisting of BRAF- and MEK-inhibitors. Additionally, more effective treatments are required to address the unmet need in variant hairy cell leukemia patients. This interview was conducted during the 2021 virtual international workshop on CLL (iwCLL).
