Global BulletinAll NewsFDA Approval AlertWomen in Oncology
Around the PracticeBetween the LinesFace OffFrom All AnglesMeeting of the MindsOncViewPodcastsTraining AcademyTreatment Algorithms with the Oncology BrothersVideos
Conferences
All JournalsEditorial BoardFor AuthorsYear in Review
Frontline ForumSatellite Sessions
CME/CE
Awareness MonthNurse Practitioners/Physician's AssistantsPartnersSponsoredSponsored Media
Career CenterSubscribe
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Surgery
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
    • Conferences
    • CME/CE
    • Career Center
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Navigating Dramatic Changes and Using Novel Therapies in CLL Management

October 9, 2025
By Scott Huntington, MD, MPH, MSc
Commentary
Video

Determining the molecular characteristics of one’s disease may influence the therapy employed in the first line as well as subsequent settings.

The chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) landscape has “dramatically changed” within the last 15 or 20 years, according to Scott Huntington, MD, MPH, MSc.

In a conversation with CancerNetwork®, Huntington outlined the options that make up the current treatment paradigm in CLL management. He noted that the field has generally shifted away from administering chemotherapy-based approaches, with practices embracing the use of orally available agents like venetoclax (Venclexta) and antibody-based treatments such as rituximab (Rituxan). These novel options, Huntington described, may offer “excellent” quality of life benefits for an extended period.

Given that many patients receive a CLL diagnosis based on incidental observation, Huntington described how active surveillance may help appropriately treat these newly diagnosed patients. In the event of progression or observable symptoms stemming from CLL, Huntington stated that determining the molecular characteristics of one’s disease may help influence treatment decision-making in the first line and subsequent settings.

Huntington is an associate professor of Internal Medicine (Hematology) at Yale School of Medicine and the Medical Director of Yale Cancer Center's Hematology Outpatient Program.

Transcript:

The way that we approach treatment for CLL has dramatically changed in the last 15 or 20 years. It was a disease that was typically treated with chemotherapy [and] is now treated with novel non–chemotherapy-based therapies, often orally administered targeted therapies such as Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or more recently, a BCL-2 inhibitor named venetoclax. We have shifted away from giving chemotherapy to better tolerated, orally administered therapies, with or without immunotherapy. We also incorporate antibody-based therapies called rituximab or obinutuzumab [Gazyva] for these patients, but what we are able to do is maintain excellent quality of life, oftentimes for more than a decade, for a disease that otherwise has been incurable. Again, these novel therapies can work quite well and lead to great outcomes for our patients.

In terms of sequencing therapy, we think about a patient as [having] newly diagnosed CLL. The first question is, do patients really need treatment at time of diagnosis? Many patients are incidentally discovered to have CLL, and so those patients are managed appropriately with what we call active surveillance. If patients develop progression or symptoms from their CLL, that’s when we would start treatment. To select treatment, we often need the molecular characteristics of the CLL. That helps direct which therapy we will use in the first-line setting, and which therapies will be used subsequently.

Recent Videos
Andrezj Jakubowiak, MD, PhD, prioritizes KRd-based regimens for the treatment of high-risk newly diagnosed disease in the post-transplant setting.
A new clinical trial aims to offer a novel allogenic CAR T-cell product for patients with lymphoma closer to home.
Although a similar proportion achieved MRD negativity at the 10 to the –6 power, not enough studies have analyzed MRD at this level for multiple myeloma.
Unique toxicities presented with talquetamab tend to get progressively better as the treatment course continues, according to Prerna Mewawalla, MD.
Modification of REMS programs may help patients travel back to community practices sooner, according to Suman Kambhampati, MD.
Symposiums and regional meetings may expand knowledge of how to adopt novel CAR T-cell therapies and bispecific antibodies, said Suman Kambhampati, MD.
Physical therapists may play a key role in patient care before, during, and after treatment for cancer, according to Alison Ankiewicz, PT, DPT.
Related Content
Advertisement

Twice-daily radiotherapy prolongs survival vs once-daily radiation among those with LS-SCLC, even with the incorporation of immunotherapy.

Unraveling The Benefits of Twice-Daily Chemoradiotherapy in LS-SCLC

Russ Conroy
October 3rd 2025
Article

Twice-daily radiotherapy prolongs survival vs once-daily radiation among those with LS-SCLC, even with the incorporation of immunotherapy.


Experts discuss considerations for improving the care of patients with prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer in community-based practices at World GU 2025.

Episode 13: Perspectives on Optimizing Community Care at World GU 2025

Manojkumar Bupathi, MD, MS;Benjamin Garmezy, MD;Sam S. Chang MD, MBA;Jeff Yorio, MD
September 12th 2025
Podcast

Experts discuss considerations for improving the care of patients with prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer in community-based practices at World GU 2025.


An indirect comparison supports continuous therapy with zanubrutinib as a valuable treatment option in treatment-naïve CLL or SLL.

Indirect Comparison Favors Zanubrutinib vs Venetoclax Combo in CLL/SLL

Russ Conroy
September 26th 2025
Article

An indirect comparison supports continuous therapy with zanubrutinib as a valuable treatment option in treatment-naïve CLL or SLL.


Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, MRCPI, PhD, discusses how the START center may expand access to novel therapies for patients who reside in a community.

START Center Aims to Bring New Cancer Treatments, Trials to the Community

Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, MRCPI, PhD
August 25th 2025
Podcast

Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, MRCPI, discusses how the START center may expand access to novel therapies for patients who reside in a community setting.


Managing AEs with Gemcitabine Intravesical System in NMIBC

Managing AEs with Gemcitabine Intravesical System in NMIBC

Gary Steinberg, MD
September 20th 2025
Article

Gary Steinberg, MD, compared the AE profile of the gemcitabine intravesical system for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with other intravesical therapies.


Evaluating Single-Agent Ziftomenib’s Performance in NPM1+ R/R AML

Evaluating Single-Agent Ziftomenib’s Performance in NPM1+ R/R AML

Tim Cortese
September 11th 2025
Article

Ziftomenib yielded a median overall survival of 16.4 months in responders with NPM1-mutant AML who received ziftomenib in the phase 1b/2 KOMET-001 trial.

Related Content
Advertisement

Twice-daily radiotherapy prolongs survival vs once-daily radiation among those with LS-SCLC, even with the incorporation of immunotherapy.

Unraveling The Benefits of Twice-Daily Chemoradiotherapy in LS-SCLC

Russ Conroy
October 3rd 2025
Article

Twice-daily radiotherapy prolongs survival vs once-daily radiation among those with LS-SCLC, even with the incorporation of immunotherapy.


Experts discuss considerations for improving the care of patients with prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer in community-based practices at World GU 2025.

Episode 13: Perspectives on Optimizing Community Care at World GU 2025

Manojkumar Bupathi, MD, MS;Benjamin Garmezy, MD;Sam S. Chang MD, MBA;Jeff Yorio, MD
September 12th 2025
Podcast

Experts discuss considerations for improving the care of patients with prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer in community-based practices at World GU 2025.


An indirect comparison supports continuous therapy with zanubrutinib as a valuable treatment option in treatment-naïve CLL or SLL.

Indirect Comparison Favors Zanubrutinib vs Venetoclax Combo in CLL/SLL

Russ Conroy
September 26th 2025
Article

An indirect comparison supports continuous therapy with zanubrutinib as a valuable treatment option in treatment-naïve CLL or SLL.


Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, MRCPI, PhD, discusses how the START center may expand access to novel therapies for patients who reside in a community.

START Center Aims to Bring New Cancer Treatments, Trials to the Community

Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, MRCPI, PhD
August 25th 2025
Podcast

Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, MRCPI, discusses how the START center may expand access to novel therapies for patients who reside in a community setting.


Managing AEs with Gemcitabine Intravesical System in NMIBC

Managing AEs with Gemcitabine Intravesical System in NMIBC

Gary Steinberg, MD
September 20th 2025
Article

Gary Steinberg, MD, compared the AE profile of the gemcitabine intravesical system for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with other intravesical therapies.


Evaluating Single-Agent Ziftomenib’s Performance in NPM1+ R/R AML

Evaluating Single-Agent Ziftomenib’s Performance in NPM1+ R/R AML

Tim Cortese
September 11th 2025
Article

Ziftomenib yielded a median overall survival of 16.4 months in responders with NPM1-mutant AML who received ziftomenib in the phase 1b/2 KOMET-001 trial.

Advertisement
About
Advertise
CureToday.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
TargetedOnc.com
Editorial
Contact
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.