Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment Advances with Targeted Therapies
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common type of leukemia, has seen significant advancements in treatment options over the past decade. Traditionally, CLL treatment involved chemotherapy, which often came with significant toxicity and limited benefits, especially for older patients. However, the introduction of targeted therapies, such as Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors like ibrutinib, has transformed the treatment landscape. These targeted agents have replaced chemoimmunotherapy as the standard of care, offering more effective and less toxic treatment options. The 'watch-and-wait' approach is commonly used for patients without active or symptomatic disease, delaying treatment until necessary. When treatment is required, options include combinations of BCL2 inhibitors with antibodies or BTK inhibitors, providing efficient therapies with fixed durations that generate deep and durable remissions. 
