What I Tell My Patients About...

Importance and Relevance of Biomarker Testing in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

• Spectrum of genetic abnormalities found in CLL
• Effect of various biomarkers (eg, IGHV mutation, del(17p), TP53 mutation) on prognosis; implications for therapeutic selection
• Methods for biomarker assessment and current indications for testing
• Current use of biomarker-based decision-making in community-based CLL management (eg, informCLL^TM registry)

First-Line Therapy for Newly Diagnosed CLL

• Key factors in the selection of first-line therapy for patients with newly diagnosed CLL
• Published findings from Phase III studies assessing Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor-based therapy versus chemoimmunotherapy for younger and older patients with treatment-naïve CLL
• Efficacy and safety findings with time-limited venetoclax/obinutuzumab for patients with previously untreated CLL
• Rationale for combining BTK inhibitors, Bcl-2 inhibitors and/or anti-CD20 antibodies
• Efficacy and safety findings with ibrutinib in combination with venetoclax for the first-line treatment of CLL; implications for clinical practice

Impact of Comorbid Conditions on the Choice of First-Line Therapy for Newly Diagnosed CLL

• Comorbidities that may influence clinical decision-making for patients with CLL (eg, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, need for anticoagulation, gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring active treatment)
• Probability of stroke/thromboembolic events and bleeding events with BTK inhibitor therapy; available data documenting the increase in risk with concomitant anticoagulation therapy
• Documented interaction between BTK inhibitors or venetoclax and other prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications and supplements
• Clinical significance of the new maleate tablet formulation of acalabrutinib; potential role in patients receiving proton pump inhibitors or those with difficulty swallowing
• Incidence of polypharmacy among patients with CLL and impact on adherence to oral therapy

Incidence and Management of Toxicities with BTK Inhibitors

• Similarities and differences between ibrutinib, acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib and correlation with the incidence and severity of class-related and agent-specific toxicities
• Available data documenting the comparative tolerability of ibrutinib, acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib
• Risk factors for and reported incidence and severity of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, with ibrutinib, acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib
• Optimal monitoring and management algorithms for treatment- related cardiac arrhythmias and bleeding events in patients receiving BTK inhibitors
• Spectrum, incidence and management of clinically relevant nonhematologic toxicities with BTK inhibitors, including arthralgias and myalgias, gastrointestinal events, cytopenias, infections and rash

Tolerability and Other Practical Considerations with Venetoclax-Based Treatment

• Incidence of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) with venetoclax; key factors placing patients at high risk for TLS
• Guideline and expert recommendations for admitting patients to the hospital before starting therapy with venetoclax; approaches to monitoring for and management of laboratory and clinical TLS
• Spectrum, incidence, severity and management of other toxicities reported with venetoclax (eg, neutropenia, infections, gastrointestinal disorders)
• Definition and clinical significance of minimal residual disease (MRD)
• Current role of MRD assessment with venetoclax-based therapy and implications for the duration of treatment

Available Therapies for Relapsed/Refractory CLL

• Factors in the selection and sequencing of available agents and regimens for patients who experience relapse on first-line BTK or Bcl-2 inhibition
• Role of rechallenge with agents used in a prior line of treatment
• Available data with and current clinical role of PI3K inhibitors in CLL treatment
• Incidence, severity and management of adverse events associated with PI3K inhibitors

Potential Benefits of Clinical Trial Participation

• Appropriate identification of patients with CLL who may be candidates for clinical trial participation
• Educating patients about the importance of clinical research and the potential advantages of study participation
• Need to overcome current social disparities and underrepresentation of specific populations in study participation
• Strategies to dispel common patient misperceptions about clinical trial participation (eg, concerns over safety, expense, receiving a placebo, ability to withdraw)

Promising Investigational Strategies in Therapy for CLL

• Similarities and differences between covalent and noncovalent BTK inhibitors
• Key efficacy and safety findings with pirtobrutinib for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL; potential integration into CLL management algorithms
• Biologic rationale for and early clinical trial experience with CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for CLL
• Ongoing studies evaluating CAR T-cell therapy for CLL; appropriate referral for trial participation
• Other promising agents and strategies under investigation for CLL

Thank you for your interest in our NCPD program taking place in Anaheim, CA. At this time online preregistration for in-person is closed for this event. ONSITE REGISTRATION SEATING WILL BE BASED UPON AVAILABILTY - ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVCE BASIS. Our Onsite Registration Desk will be open at 11:45 AM Pacific Time on Friday, April 29th. If you are interested in attending, please visit our registration desk located outside the Grand Ballroom E-K (Lobby Level) of the Anaheim Marriott hotel (700 West Convention Way) which is within walking distance (0.2 miles) of the Anaheim Convention Center.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at Meetings@ResearchToPractice.com, or call (800) 233-6153.

Please note, onsite registration does not guarantee meal service which will be based on availability.