Thursday, January 17, 2013

ASH 2012: Dr. John Byrd Discusses Possible Complications of the New Therapies and the New Trials

We pick up the interview at ASH 2012 with a perspective on the possible complications of the new therapies (ibrutinib and GS-1101 or Idelalisib), starting with infections in general in CLL and in the trials, bleeding problems, liver enzymes, and atypical pneumonia.

He reminds us that we are treating CLL, not a trivial disorder. I believe he is asking us patients to take a step back and consider our tolerance of adverse events against the often higher risks of the alternative therapies or the real dangers of doing nothing.

In the last half of the interview, Dr. Byrd discusses the RESONATE trial and a possible path to early access to ibrutinib, another trial of GS-1101 versus rituximab with a cross-over, a single arm relapsed 17p del trial of ibrutinib, and others with bendamustine.

Several of these trials offer real solid therapy with no chemo arm. That's special.



This post comes from a castle in the the cold and wet and wonderful Ballyfarnon in northern part of Ireland.

Below is a picture of my my bonnie lassie at the entrance to Kilronan Castle.

We are happy a splendid time, meeting brilliant people. You don't need to believe in the wee folk to recognize that Ireland is a magical place.

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3 Comments:

Blogger Cathy R said...

Love your blog! Hope you are enjoying my beautiful country.

January 18, 2013 at 10:12 PM  
Blogger Cathy R said...

Hope you are enjoying my home country! I am from Dublin and living in the USA. I follow your blog and I find it very informative and inspiring. I have cll/sll, in watch and wait. Stay well.

January 18, 2013 at 10:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really enjoy reading your blog especially these interviews with Dr. Byrd who is also my husband's doctor and who has been on the O/Ibrutinib trial since 06/11.
I'm happy to hear that Dr.Byrd says that the phase III Resonate trials of O vs Ibrutinib are designed so that the patients on the O arm who do not do well will have access to Ibrutinib. The problem with enrolling more patients is the question of crossover to Ibrutinib. If Pharmacyclics would allow this and put it in the trial agreement, we would probably see a faster enrollment in the phase III trials. Dr.Byrd is a great patient advocate, but it should be in writing.

January 22, 2013 at 8:19 AM  

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