Looking for a resource re treatment for CLL/SLL - CLL Support

CLL Support

22,499 members38,644 posts

Looking for a resource re treatment for CLL/SLL

Jemorgen profile image
23 Replies

I've tried to search the pinned posts and did a general search but to no avail. I'm wondering if there is a resource table/rubric that exists that outlines clearly "if this is your CLL/SLL genetic profile, these are your specific treatment options." As I understand it, depending on the genetic profile of your CLL/SLL different treatment options are indicated. For example, not everyone is a good match for ibrutinib as a first line treatment, etc.

thanks in advance

Heather (BC, Canada)

Written by
Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
23 Replies
AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator

Heather, have you read this post? healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

The referenced iWCLL Guidelines covers what you want.

Neil

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen in reply to AussieNeil

Thanks Neil. I’ll check it out.

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen

I found the NCCN Guidelines for Patient to be very clear and concise - not to mention very up to date!

cajunjeff profile image
cajunjeff in reply to Jemorgen

It’s a guide published in 2019, so yes it’s very up to date. And as I read it, Ibrutinib is preferred for all types of Cll.

There is still an argument that people who are young and have mutated Cll have an excellent chance of being cured by FCR (some get twenty year remissions), so FCR is in the discussion for that group.

The counter argument is that people with good genetics might get 20 year remissions with ibrutinib and venetoclax, with less toxicity. It’s the known vs the unknown.

Right now for anyone starting out, just going with single agent ibrutinib could be a sound plan. Many starting out that way might be adding venetoclax later, if it gets broader approval.

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen in reply to cajunjeff

From everything I’ve read so far I agree with what you’re saying Jeff. I had my BMB on the 2nd and get the results on the 16th. Perhaps the bigger question is what my province will cover. I understand that Canada is about 18 months behind the US. I found the info once but haven’t found it again today.

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero in reply to Jemorgen

Every province is different the current BC information is in my post to Jeff.

tsvieps profile image
tsvieps in reply to Jemorgen

Canada and GB may be intentionally behind because FCR is less expensive. Financial Triage.

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen in reply to tsvieps

Hmph. Probably true

tsvieps profile image
tsvieps in reply to Jemorgen

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this. Certainly some financial triage is necessary at some point. We do not have infinite resources. But as a patient with a serious disease, I would like the level of expense that would be allowed to keep in decent shape to be fairly high.

I do understand $150k saved on me and spent on pre-natal care and vaccines for poor people would raise the countries average lifespan more than adding a year to my life would.

In GB, the expense per "quality life year" is limited to about $70k. Here in the US it seems to be more than double that. One reason we get less life expectancy for our expense compared to GB.

tsvieps profile image
tsvieps in reply to Jemorgen

For all cancers. It is possible for patients to also get access, even though it is intended for docs. I just said I was a researcher, which is actually true. It can be downloaded, but not sections cannot be copied and pasted, which is a bit inconvenient if one wants to discuss a section with someone.

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen in reply to tsvieps

Are you referring to the BC Cancer Agency site?

tsvieps profile image
tsvieps in reply to Jemorgen

No, I was referring to the NCCP site mentioned above. It has guidelines for Breast Cancer and Leukemia. We are dealing with both in our family and I have a copy of both guidelines. It may or may not include Canadian docs in its committees that write each one. It would be easy to check.

nccn.org/

cajunjeff profile image
cajunjeff

Heather, I think Ibrutinib is a good front line choice for all types Cll. The treatment landscape is changing so fast, if you are looking at data from a year ago, it might be outdated.

My understanding is that recent studies have shown Ibrutinib is good for everyone. There is an argument that for people who are young with very good genetics, like mutated IGHV, that FCR (chemo) might be the best frontline choice. Even with good genetics, I would consider ibrutinib because it’s less toxic.

When the data matures from ibrutinib/ Gazyva and ibrutinib/venetoclax trials, we may see these combos outperform FCR.

As it stands now, I think an argument can be made that single agent ibrutinib is a good starting drug for anyone with Cll, at 7 yeasts out very few folks have progressed on ibrutinib when used as a first treatment.

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero in reply to cajunjeff

Heather is in BC, Canada where Ibrutinib has restricted access and funding first line...

The restrictions were broadened last month, in italics,, but some restrictions are still in place...

ELIGIBILITY:

 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma with high risk disease e.g chromosome, 17 p deletion and no prior therapy

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma patients ineligible for FCR who have received no prior therapy (FCR ineligible is defined as patients over 65 years of age, and/or a strong clinical reason that the patient is ineligible for FCR)

 AST/ALT less than 3 x ULN

 A Compassionate Access Program (CAP) approval is required prior to the initiation of treatment.

bccancer.bc.ca/chemotherapy...

Its important to give accurate information... Jeff

~chris 🇨🇦

cajunjeff profile image
cajunjeff in reply to Cllcanada

Chris, I did give accurate info. I was responding to Heather’s assertion that not everyone is a good match for ibrutinib as a front line treatment. That issue is an independent issue of whether ibrutinib is available everywhere.

Its important not to accuse people of giving bad information who are trying to help. Your point could have been made without the condescending admonishment. I only echoed what the guidelines Neil linked to set forth. Ibrutinib is appropriate frontline for all types of Cll. Eligibility in different countries is a separate issue.

Good luck to you Heather, I am sorry if you found anything I wrote misleading. Jeff.

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen in reply to cajunjeff

It’s all good. Thanks for responding.

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen

Thanks for the link Chris. That’s what I was looking for.

mgh348 profile image
mgh348

Also important is whether you have cardiac issues, as ibru results in afib in some people, and can produce joint inflammation, which might be a consideration if you already have this issue.

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen in reply to mgh348

Thanks. Fortunately those are not issues for me.

Hoffy profile image
Hoffy

CLL Society web site has a lot of good information. Maybe not exactly what you are asking for but likely close via many posts,

cllsociety.org

Be well,

Hoffy

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen in reply to Hoffy

Thanks

MsLockYourPosts profile image
MsLockYourPostsPassed Volunteer in reply to Hoffy

cllsocirty.org

Jemorgen profile image
Jemorgen

Thanks everyone. Like so many of you I feel like I’m sitting in limbo - waiting for my BMB results to come in (I have SLL so my bloodwork is all normal). Once I have these results I can find out more directly what treatment will be available.

It seems that even though ibrutinib is turning out to be the best first line treatment, the other standards of the past few years also seem to have good results with fairly good tolerance.

I did look into whether there are any trials I can join but apparently not in my location at this time.

You may also like...

CLL and SLL in breast tissue

Diagnosed 4 years ago with CLL. A few months ago had a biopsy on breast tissue - pathologist report

SLL/CLL travel insurance questions

quote, why do they ask if your SLL/CLL was diagnosed before or after your 60th birthday?

cll/sll or MZL? & Rituxan

three of trying to get properly diagnosed. Initial cll/sll diagnosis now in doubt at two leading...

Question about Sll/CLL

what the life expectancy is with Sll and CLL I’m 46 and was told I have sll a few weeks ago I have...

CLL/SLL, what to expect?

regarding the SLL. My hematologist never mentioned the SLL side of this......only the CLL. Thanks...