Cross Fire: BTK Inhibitors Alone or in Combination are the Best Frontline Therapy for CLL

Abstract

BTK (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) inhibitors are highly effective front-line therapy for CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) due to high response rates and prolonged progression-free survival, even in patients with high-risk disease features. They are also generally well tolerated, with the newer BTK inhibitors demonstrating better tolerability than ibrutinib while maintaining efficacy. Adverse effects such as bleeding or infections are usually manageable with supportive care or dose adjustments. Orally administered BTK inhibitors do not require intensive or inpatient monitoring and improve quality-of-life outcomes. Moreover, the established activity of venetoclax in the setting of BTK inhibitor failure is also reassuring as a salvage option. Nevertheless, the advantage of venetoclax as a time-limited treatment option is substantial, despite its inferior progression-free survival, since these patients can get another challenge with a reasonable chance of success. BTK inhibitors after venetoclax may be effective, but long-term data is limited. Given these reasons, BTK inhibitors remain the preferred treatment option as initial therapy for patients with CLL, especially those with del17p or TP53 mutations.