Authors' recommendations: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a type of cancer which usually develops very slowly. It causes the body to make too many white blood cells called lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are abnormal and do not work properly so build up in the lymph nodes (glands), spleen, bone marrow and blood. Many patients who have chronic lymphocytic leukaemia are diagnosed when having a routine blood test and if they are well, they usually do not need to start treatment straight away. However, if the disease starts to cause symptoms, treatment is then required. Venetoclax is a new type of drug for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia given as a tablet. It is given with a drug called rituximab, which is already used to treat this cancer. Some studies have suggested venetoclax may be helpful for people whose first treatment has failed and whose disease has continued to spread. More studies are now aiming to show how well it works and that it is safe to use. If venetoclax is licensed for use in the UK, it could be a new treatment option for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia that does not need to be injected and may reduce the symptoms of the disease and increase survival.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/venetoclax-with-rituximab-for-relapsed-or-refractory-chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia-second-and-subsequent-line/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre (NIHR HSC)