Evaluation of Venetoclax Use in CLL and AML; Experiences from a Single Center in Central-Eastern Europe

The introduction of novel target therapies fundamentally altered the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, especially those with high risk or refractory disease. Ibrutinib, an inhibitor of the Bruton-tyrosine kinase that plays a cardinal role in B-cell receptor signaling, has already been incorporated into the routine first-line treatment of patients with TP53 abnormalities and has shown substantial benefit compared to the previously used immune-chemotherapy regiments. Despite these vastly improved outcomes, a fraction of patients still experience relapse with ibrutinib or have to discontinue therapy due to side effects. Recent studies indicate that the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax may provide a good alternative in these cases. Furthermore, venetoclax has also been approved for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemias, further expanding the arsenal of possible regimens.