Photo Credit: Kieferpix
Dr. Eleanor Goergen, a physician at the German CLL Study Group and a resident in hematology and oncology, presented findings from the CLL 12 study at ASH 2024, which examined quality-of-life outcomes in treatment-naive, asymptomatic patients with early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The study divided participants into two groups: one receiving ibrutinib and the other a placebo, with quality of life (QOL) assessed through regular questionnaires. While the study showed no overall survival benefit for either group, it emphasized the importance of understanding patient-reported outcomes in asymptomatic cases.
Baseline QOL scores were similar in both groups, and physical functioning improved in both, including the placebo group. However, differences emerged in certain areas. Patients treated with ibrutinib experienced shorter times to deterioration in specific symptoms, such as bruising, although no differences were observed for other ibrutinib-associated toxicities like diarrhea or skin issues. Notably, the ibrutinib group demonstrated faster improvements in global health scores and physical functioning compared to the placebo group.
The study concluded that ibrutinib did not negatively impact quality of life in early-stage, asymptomatic CLL patients, a crucial finding for assessing treatment suitability. The research team plans to further analyze these QOL outcomes in relation to the study’s efficacy and safety data, aiming to better understand how patient experiences align with clinical events. This ongoing work underscores the need to address patient well-being, particularly in asymptomatic individuals, to identify and mitigate factors contributing to disease progression or reduced QOL.
