A Prospective, Multicenter, Phase-II Trial of Venetoclax Plus Acalabrutinib in Patients Who Have Relapsed After First Line Venetoclax + Anti-CD20 mAb Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL or SLL)
Fixed-duration regimens containing combinations of venetoclax with CD20 targeting agents are expected to soon become standard practice in first-line patients with chronic lymfocytic leukemia (CLL). The advantage of a fixed duration venetoclax combination as part of first-line treatment is the potential to retreat with venetoclax in patients who develop relapsed disease after a treatment free period. However, efficacy of venetoclax retreatment following a fixed duration venetoclax combination is still hypothetical as clinical data are lacking. Thus, there is an urgent need for data proving efficacy of venetoclax combinations following venetoclax treatment cessation. Testing of a novel venetoclax-containing regimen for relapsed CLL without the repeat of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) is a rational approach.
• Documented CLL or SLL requiring treatment according to IWCLL criteria (appendix A) after at least (clinical) partial response as best response after the following initial study treatment: venetoclax-rituximab in HOVON 140/GAIA or venetoclax-obinutuzumab in HOVON 139/GIVE or HOVON 140/GAIA;
• WHO/ECOG performance status 0-3 (appendix C), stage 3 only if attributable to CLL
• Age at least 18 years;
• Adequate BM function defined as:
‣ Hemoglobin \>5 mmol/l or Hb \> 8 g/dL
⁃ Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>0.75 x 109/L (750/μL), unless directly attributable to CLL infiltration of the BM, proven by BM biopsy
⁃ Platelet count \>30 x 109/L (30,000/μL) without transfusion and irrespective whether it is attributable to CLL infiltration in the BM;
• Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) (MDRD) or estimated creatinine clearance (CrCl ≥ 30ml/min (Cockcroft-Gault appendix E); Please note: in case eGFR or CrCl is \<50ml/min the patient needs to be considered high risk for TLS
• Adequate liver function as indicated:
‣ Serum aspartate transaminase (ASAT) and alanine transaminase (ALAT) ≤ 3.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN);
⁃ Bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN (unless bilirubin rise is due to Gilbert's syndrome or of nonhepatic origin);
• Prothrombin time (PT)/International normal ratio (INR) \<1.5 x ULN and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) \<1.5 x ULN;
• Negative serological testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV) (Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) negative) and hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C antibody). Subjects who are positive for anti-HBc or hepatitis C antibody may be included if they have a negative PCR within 6 weeks before enrollment. Those who are PCR positive will be excluded; Please note: For patients positive for anti-HBc HBV-DNA PCR has to be repeated every month until 12 months after last dose of study treatment.
• Patient is able and willing to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements;
• Patient is capable of giving informed consent;
• Written informed consent.