ASH 2020 | Venetoclax plus CLAD/LDAC and aza for older AML patients
Tapan Kadia, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, discusses a Phase II clinical trial (NCT03586609) of venetoclax in combination with cladribine plus low dose cytarabine (CLAD/LDAC) alternated with azacitidine (aza), in older acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Both venetoclax and CLAD/LDAC have been shown to improve outcomes when compared to hypomethylating agents alone. Therefore, the trial combined therapies with the aim to further improve response rates in unfit or older patients. The study demonstrated deep responses, with a complete remission (CR) rate of over 90%, and 92% of complete responders reached measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity. Overall, the results showed this regimen to be well tolerated and highly effective in the older cohort, warranting further study. This interview took place during the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, 2020.
