New combo therapy shows promise for First-Line CLL treatment

NCT ID NCT03609593

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested a combination of bendamustine and rituximab (BR) followed by venetoclax in 42 people with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The goal was to see how many patients responded to the full 15-month treatment. Venetoclax is an oral drug that targets a protein on CLL cells, but it can cause a dangerous side effect called tumor lysis syndrome, so dosing was carefully stepped up.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
bendamustine, rituximab, and venetoclax
What this could lead to
If successful, this combination could offer a more effective first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, potentially leading to longer remission without needing continuous therapy.
What could go wrong
This is a small, single-arm phase 2 trial with only 42 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. There is a risk of tumor lysis syndrome, a serious side effect from rapid cell destruction.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center / NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

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