The combination of targeted drugs in a chemotherapy-free approach to treating leukemia has been celebrated as a «milestone» in cancer care by scientists after a revolutionary UK trial. This approach has the potential to provide better outcomes for patients and be more tolerable, potentially reshaping the way chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is managed in adults.
The Flair trial, conducted at 96 cancer centers across the UK, aimed to determine if two targeted cancer drugs could outperform standard chemotherapy in CLL patients. In the trial, 786 individuals with untreated CLL were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy, a single targeted drug called ibrutinib, or a combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax, with treatment guided by personalized blood tests.
Ibrutinib, a cancer growth blocker, works by inhibiting the signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow. Venetoclax, on the other hand, blocks the functions of a protein found in CLL cells.
Researchers discovered that after five years, 94% of patients who received the combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax were alive with no disease progression. This was compared to 79% for those on ibrutinib alone and 58% for those receiving standard chemotherapy. Additionally, 66% of patients on the combined treatment had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow after two years, a significant improvement over the other treatment groups.
The new treatment regimen was also found to be better tolerated than traditional treatments, marking a significant advancement in leukemia care. Dr. Talha Munir, a consultant hematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and lead researcher of the study, described the Flair trial as a milestone in cancer treatment. He emphasized the importance of tailoring individualized treatment based on each patient’s response to the cancer.
Catherine Whitfield, a CLL patient who participated in the trial, shared her positive experience with the treatment and the significant impact it had on her life. Dr. Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, highlighted the potential of the Flair trial results to pave the way for new treatment options for leukemia and other blood cancers.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia in adults, affecting the blood and bone marrow. While it is typically not curable, it can be effectively managed with treatment. Each year, approximately 4,000 new cases of CLL are diagnosed in the UK.
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