A study into treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL/SLL) has found that Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) is more effective than Imbruvica (ibrutinib). 

The Phase III, first-of-its-kind BRUIN CLL-314 trial found that pirtobrutinib met its primary endpoint of non-inferiority on overall response rate (ORR) compared to ibrutinib. Pirtobrutinib, developed by Eli Lilly, also had numerically higher ORR rates and, while immature, progression-free survival (PFS) was also trending in favour of pirtobrutinib compared to ibrutinib across all populations. 

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, were highlighted at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, US. 

“These data from BRUIN CLL-314 are both novel and clinically significant, demonstrating an improved overall response rate and a favourable trend in progression-free survival outcomes with pirtobrutinib compared to ibrutinib across all populations, including treatment-naïve patients where covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are a cornerstone of treatment,” said Jennifer A Woyach, Director of the Division of Hematology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

“BRUIN CLL-314 is the first randomised study to compare covalent and non-covalent BTK inhibitors and to directly compare any BTK inhibitors in the treatment-naïve setting, offering findings that are important for advancing the field and patient care. These efficacy results, along with pirtobrutinib’s safety profile, offer strong evidence on the role of pirtobrutinib earlier in the treatment course for patients with CLL or SLL.” 

“We are excited to share these compelling new findings for pirtobrutinib with the scientific community at ASH and in the Journal of Clinical Oncology,” added Jacob Van Naarden, Executive Vice President and President of Lilly Oncology.  

“These data build on additional results from the BRUIN development programme and the recent FDA approval for pirtobrutinib in the post-covalent BTK inhibitor setting to reinforce the medicine’s potential to deliver meaningful benefit for people living with CLL or SLL across various disease settings.” 

 

Bruno Quinney, Content Team, DDW