Brielle Benyon, Assistant Managing Editor for CURE®, has been with MJH Life Sciences since 2016. She has served as an editor on both CURE and its sister publication, Oncology Nursing News. Brielle is a graduate from The College of New Jersey. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, CrossFit and wishing she had the grace and confidence of her toddler-aged daughter.
Take a look at the FDA’s decisions for the treatment of SLL that happened this year.
The year 2018 was a busy one for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it came to actions in the blood cancer space. There were three major advancements for the treatment of patients with small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL):
Venclexta plus Rituxan. This combination was approved in June for patients with SLL — as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) – who have already had at least one other form of treatment. The drugs are given intravenously, and the combination is approved to treat patients regardless of whether or not they have a 17p deletion.
Copiktra: In September, Copiktra (duvelisib) was granted FDA approval for patients with relapsed or refractory SLL or CLL who previously underwent two or more treatment options. Unlike Venclexta and Rituxan, Copiktra is given in pill form.
Imbruvica plus Gazyva. The drug combination Imbruvica (ibrutinib) plus Gazyva (obinutizumab) was granted priority review in October, meaning that the FDA will review and potentially approve the regimen in six months instead of the usual 10. If approved, the duo will be used to treat patients in the frontline setting.