Chemo-Free hope: new combo aims to outsmart CLL

NCT ID NCT04010968

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested a combination of two targeted drugs, venetoclax and ibrutinib, against standard chemotherapy (FCR) in 120 fit patients with intermediate-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The goal was to see if the drug combo could achieve deep remission with a fixed treatment duration, guided by minimal residual disease (MRD) testing. Participants received ibrutinib alone for 3 months, then added venetoclax, with treatment stopping if MRD levels were very low at month 9.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

venetoclax and ibrutinib

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a chemotherapy-free option for intermediate-risk CLL patients, potentially with a fixed treatment duration and better long-term outcomes.

What could go wrong

This is a phase 2 trial with only 120 participants, so results are preliminary. The targeted drugs may cause side effects like heart issues or infections, and the approach may not work for everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Bordeaux Pessac

    Pessac, 33604, France

  • CH Annecy Genevois - Hématologie A3

    Annecy, 74374, France

  • CH BLOIS

    Blois, 41000, France

  • CHD Vendée

    La Roche-sur-Yon, 85925, France

  • CHR ORLEANS - Hématologie

    Orléans, 44100, France

  • CHU Caen - IHBN - Hématologie Clinique

    Caen, 14033, France

  • CHU Estaing - Hématologie Clinique Adulte

    Clermont-Ferrand, 63000, France

  • CHU Grenoble - Hématologie

    Grenoble, 388043, France

  • CHU Hôtel Dieu - Hématologie Clinique

    Nantes, 44093, France

  • CHU Nancy Brabois

    Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, 54500, France

  • CHU Pontchaillou - Hématologie Clinique BMT-HC

    Rennes, 35033, France

  • Centre Henri Becquerel - Service Hématologie Clinique

    Rouen, 76038, France

  • Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud

    Pierre-Bénite, 69495, France

  • Centre Hospitalier Regional Metz Thionville

    Metz, 57085, France

  • Centre Hospitalier Sud Francilien

    Corbeil-Essonnes, 91100, France

  • Centre Hospitalier du Mans

    Le Mans, 72000, France

  • Centre Léon Bérard - Hématologie

    Lyon, 69373, France

  • Ch Cote Basque

    Bayonne, 64109, France

  • Chu Creteil

    Créteil, 94000, France

  • Chu Reims

    Reims, 51092, France

  • GRENOBLE GHM - Institut Daniel Hollard

    Grenoble, 38028, France

  • Hôpital André Mignot

    Versailles, 78157, France

  • Hôpital Avicenne - Centre de Recherche Clinique

    Bobigny, 93009, France

  • Hôpital Bretonneau - Hématologie et Thérapie Cellulaire

    Tours, 37044, France

  • Hôpital Hautepierre - Hématologie

    Strasbourg, 67098, France

  • Hôpital Pitié Salpétrière - Hématologie

    Paris, 75651, France

  • Hôpital Privé Sévigné

    Cesson-Sévigné, 35510, France

  • Hôpital Saint Eloi

    Montpellier, 34295, France

  • Hôpital Saint Vincent de Paul

    Lille, 59000, France

  • Hôpital de la Milétrie - Hématologie et Thérapie Cellulaire

    Poitiers, 86021, France

  • IUCT ONCOPOLE - Hématologie

    Toulouse, 31059, France

  • Institut Bergonie

    Bordeaux, 33076, France

  • Institut Paoli Calmette

    Marseille, 130009, France

  • Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth

    Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, 42271, France