Telomere length and DNA methylation epitype both provide independent prognostic information in CLL patients; data from the UK CLL4, ARCTIC and ADMIRE clinical trials

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) exhibit varied clinical paths; some have indolent courses, while others experience aggressive disease.1 Despite numerous molecular and cellular biomarkers being discovered, only TP53 aberrations (TP53ab: TP53 deletion and/or mutations) and unmutated IGHV status (U-CLL) are used for treatment stratification.2, 3 Other biomarkers have not been adopted due to a lack of independent prognostic or predictive value. Validating new biomarkers in large phase II/III trials with extensive molecular characterization and long-term follow-up is crucial. This study aims to validate the clinical relevance of two CLL biomarkers, methylation-based epitype (DME) and telomere length (TL), using large trial cohorts.</p

The efficacy and safety of venetoclax therapy in elderly patients with relapsed, refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Elderly chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients treated outside of trials have notably greater toxicity with the Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib compared to younger patients. It is not known whether the same holds true for the B‐cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor venetoclax. We provide a comprehensive analysis of key safety measures and efficacy in 342 patients comparing age categories ≥75 and <75 years treated in the relapsed, refractory non‐trial setting. We demonstrate that venetoclax has equivalent efficacy and safety in relapsed/refractory CLL patients who are elderly, the majority of whom are previous ibrutinib‐exposed and therefore may otherwise have few clear therapeutic options.<br