- Updated results from a Phase 3 clinical trial, MURANO, evaluating AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) and Roche's (OTCQX:RHHBY) VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO (venetoclax), combined with Roche's Rituxan (rituximab) [VenR], in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) showed a long-term treatment effect. The data were presented at ASH in San Diego.
- The estimated progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 36 months in patients receiving VenR was 71.4% compared to 15.2% for patients receiving chemo agent bendamustine plus rituximab (BR).
- At the time of analysis, the estimated overall survival (OS) benefit at three years was about 10% higher in the VenR arm compared to the BR arm.
- 78% (n=89/114) of patients who completed two years of treatment with VenR without disease progression also showed minimal residual disease-negativity (less likely to relapse).
- No new safety signals were observed.
- Venetoclax is a small molecule inhibitor of a protein called B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) which plays a key role in apoptosis (programmed cell death). Blocking BCL-2 is believed to restore the signaling system that tells cancer cells to self-destruct.
- #ASH18
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