Chronic lymphocytic leukemia paradigm continues to be refined: news from the American Society of Hematology 2018 annual meeting

There were a number of important updates and advances presented at the 2018 Annual American Society of Hematology meeting. With respect to the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the American Society of Hematology 2018 was notable for an improved understanding of ibrutinib-based therapies. In fact, three prospective Phase III trials presented at the meeting indicate, in turn, that ibrutinib alone, ibrutinib plus rituximab, or ibrutinib plus obinutuzumab, should be the new standard of care for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, additional clinical trials comparing chemo-immunotherapy with ibrutinib alone or in association with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody remain a reasonable avenue to complete results of these large studies.