The same speculations, and at this time it is all speculation, could be made for combos with idelalisib or ABT-199 or any of the novel agents in trial. The only way to find out is with research.
Here is just one example of one such interesting trial that was just posted today.
Dr. Susan O'Brien starts by rightly asks us to look at the data separately for the treatment naive group and the relapsed refractory gang.
Those lucky folks who got ibrutinib frontline may be on cruise control for a long long time and if so, why mess with a good thing by adding in another medication
Next please listen carefully as Dr. O'Brien does a good job of reminding us of what exactly we know from trials and what we think we know. For example we know that obinutuzumab (Gazya) is a much better monoclonal antibody (mAb) than rituximab when used with chlorambucil or Leukeran to tray CLL. What we think but don't really know is whether it is a better antibody when used in other combos for CLL. As I have reviewed in past posts about glyco-engineeered mAb such as Gazya there is good reason to expect that it is a better killer of B cells, but that has yet to proven.
I also agree with her that much of the benefit from adding a mAB to ibrutinib might be cosmetic, getting us a quicker response by blunting the rise in the absolute lymphocyte count seen early in treatment. When you look at the data further down the line, there is little difference in the already strong outcomes with or without an anti- CD 20 antibody aboard.
This interview will make more sense if you catch the first part of our conversation here.
Finally, another plea for your tolerance. The audio quality is terrible: full of hisses and pops. And don't worry, you have not gone through a time warp. I do repeat a few seconds on the interview just passed the seven minute mark. It's a good thing I don't make a living as a sound engineer.
I hope the quality of the information will allow you to forgive the lousy recording technique.
As I have said before the near future will be full not just of better recordings (made certain by my plan to engage recording professionals at the big congresses), but also I will be posting more focused CLL education.
Please stay tuned over the next few days.
I will need your help with an upcoming survey and will be posting some new kinds of material that I hope you will enjoy and learn from.
Here is Dr. O'Brien
A very busy and productive ASH 2014 is just a few days away. And trust me, I am bringing a video professional for all my scheduled interviews.If you want a personal response, or just want to stay in touch, please email me at bkoffmanMD@gmail.com. I have no other way of contacting. Thanks. Stay strong. After all, we are all in this together.