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Is There a Role for Chemotherapy in the Era of Targeted Therapies?

  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemias (N Jain, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia has been rapidly evolving over the past few years. The prior standard of care, chemoimmunotherapy, is being replaced by targeted agents, and the utility of chemotherapy has come under question. In this review, we examine recent data comparing chemoimmunotherapy to targeted agents, how these data impact clinical management, and whether there are potential future roles for cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Recent Findings

Clinical trials have shown improved clinical outcomes with targeted agents compared to traditional chemoimmunotherapy. Based on these data, the current treatment paradigm primarily favors targeted agents over chemoimmunotherapy, with a few exceptions. However, targeted agents have notable limitations, and thus, there may be a future role of cytotoxic chemotherapy when administered in combination with targeted agents.

Summary

Although targeted agents have nearly replaced chemoimmunotherapy in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, novel combinations utilizing chemotherapy are being developed that may lead to better outcomes.

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  1. Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA

    Jason C. Lee & Nicole Lamanna

  2. Associate Attending, Leukemia Service, Director of the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Program, Hematologic Malignancies Section, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, NY, USA

    Nicole Lamanna

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Lee, J.C., Lamanna, N. Is There a Role for Chemotherapy in the Era of Targeted Therapies?. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 15, 72–82 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-020-00563-8

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