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AbbVie reports positive Phase Ib trial results of venetoclax with rituximab in CLL patients

US-based biopharmaceutical firm AbbVie has reported positive updated results from a Phase Ib trial of venetoclax, an investigational B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) selective inhibitor, with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The results showed patients with relapsed/refractory CLL taking venetoclax in combination with rituximab, had an overall response rate (ORR) of 84%.

In addition, six patients stopped venetoclax after achieving either a complete response (CR) with incomplete marrow recovery (CRi), while three patients maintained a response after a median of 12 months.

The data was presented at the 20th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) carried out this June in Vienna.

AbbVie oncology development vice-president Gary Gordon said: "AbbVie’s goal is to develop treatments that can help patients with hard-to-treat cancers.

"Combining the potential of venetoclax with rituximab is just one example of how we are investigating combination therapy."

The open-label, dose-escalation, multicenter, international Phase Ib trial evaluated the maximum tolerated dose and safety of venetoclax combined with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL or small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL).

The trial’s secondary objectives included pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy.

The company is developing venetoclax in collaboration with Genentech and Roche.

Jointly, the companies are committed to BCL-2 research with venetoclax, which is currently being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials to treat relapsed/refractory CLL, along with studies in several other cancers.