Prof Ian Flinn from the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, talks to ecancer about the significance of the IPI-145 trial which investigated the oral, potent PI3K-δ,γ inhibitor in the treatment of haematological malignancies. The favourable results from the CLL cohort were presented at ASH 2013: There was a 47% overall response rate in patients treated with this molecule and it showed a low toxicity profile.

Prof Ian Flinn then goes on to speak about 2013 developments in idelalisib. There were updates on using it as a monotherapy in patients with vari-refractory low-grade lymphoma: More than half of patients will respond to it when used as a single agent and it has a durable remission with a good side effect profile. The results showcasing idelalisib used in conjunction with rituximab vs. using rituximab alone, in patients with relapsed refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, were also released: The results showed that there was an improvement in response rate, progression free survival and overall survival.

Prof Ian Flinn goes on to discuss the results from the study investigating GA-101 and chlorambucil vs rituximab and chlorambucil, for older or unfit patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, when used as a frontline therapy. The study showed that obinutuzumab is superior to rituximab. Prof Ian Flinn discusses what effect such results will have on treatment programmes involving such patients going forward. 

To finish Prof Ian Flinn discusses ABT-199 and its phenomenal activity in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, however he warns that this drug still requires further development, due to the problems seen with tumour lysis syndrome.

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