Optimal Management of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia — Microlearning Activities — Microlearning Activity 1

Faculty

Catherine C Coombs

MD

UCI Health, Orange County, California

Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine

TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity is intended for medical oncologists, hematology-oncology fellows and other healthcare providers involved in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Recognize the prognostic and clinical significance of various biomarkers (eg, del[17p], TP53 mutations, IGHV gene rearrangements) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and refine molecular testing algorithms for patients newly diagnosed with this disease.
• Individualize the selection of systemic therapy for newly diagnosed CLL, considering risk profile, clinical presentation, coexisting medical conditions and patient preferences.
• Review the similarities and differences between covalent and noncovalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, and assess the implications for the efficacy and tolerability of these agents.
• Evaluate available clinical research demonstrating the efficacy and safety of covalent and noncovalent BTK inhibitors for newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL, and identify patients for whom treatment with these agents would be appropriate.
• Appreciate the scientific rationale for the investigation of combined BTK and Bcl-2 inhibition, and review recently presented data with this strategy for patients with newly diagnosed and R/R CLL.
• Appraise clinical investigator best practices for various CLL management situations, and leverage this information to facilitate improved clinical decision-making.
• Recall available and emerging data with novel agents and combination strategies currently under investigation for CLL, and as applicable, discuss clinical trial participation with eligible patients.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
Research To Practice designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMERICAN BOARD OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (ABIM) — MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component and a post-test, enables the participant to earn up to 0.75 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Please note, this program has been specifically designed for the following ABIM specialties: medical oncology and hematology.

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HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY
To receive credit for this activity, the participant should review the CME information, watch the video, complete the post-test with a score of 80% or better and fill out the evaluation.

CONTENT VALIDATION AND DISCLOSURES
Research To Practice (RTP) is committed to providing its participants with high-quality, unbiased and state-of-the-art education and adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers and others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of this activity. In addition, all activity content is reviewed by RTP scientific staff and an external, independent physician reviewer for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies referenced and patient care recommendations.

FACULTY — The following faculty reported relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities:

Dr Coombs — Advisory Committees: AbbVie Inc, Allogene Therapeutics, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, BeOne, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Invivyd, Janssen Biotech Inc, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Octapharma, Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company; Contracted Research: AbbVie Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, BeOne, Carna Biosciences, Lilly; Speakers Bureaus: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, BeOne, Lilly; Stock Options/Stock — Public Companies: Geron Corporation. 

EDITOR — Dr Love  is president and CEO of Research To Practice. Research To Practice receives funds in the form of educational grants to develop CME activities from the following companies: Aadi Bioscience, AbbVie Inc, ADC Therapeutics, Agendia Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Amgen Inc, Array BioPharma Inc, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc, Arvinas, Astellas, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, BeOne, Biotheranostics Inc, A Hologic Company, Black Diamond Therapeutics Inc, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bristol Myers Squibb, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc, Celcuity, Clovis Oncology, Coherus BioSciences, Corcept Therapeutics Inc, CTI BioPharma, a Sobi Company, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Eisai Inc, Elevation Oncology Inc, Exact Sciences Corporation, Exelixis Inc, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genmab US Inc, Geron Corporation, Gilead Sciences Inc, GSK, Helsinn Therapeutics (US) Inc, ImmunoGen Inc, Incyte Corporation, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Johnson & Johnson, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Kite, A Gilead Company, Kura Oncology, Legend Biotech, Lilly, MEI Pharma Inc, Merck, Mersana Therapeutics Inc, Mirati Therapeutics Inc, Mural Oncology Inc, Natera Inc, Novartis, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation on behalf of Advanced Accelerator Applications, Novocure Inc, Nuvalent, Nuvation Bio Inc, Pfizer Inc, Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Puma Biotechnology Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Revolution Medicines Inc, Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc, R-Pharm US, Sanofi, Seagen Inc, Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC, SpringWorks Therapeutics Inc, Stemline Therapeutics Inc, Sumitomo Pharma America, Summit Therapeutics, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Taiho Oncology Inc, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc, TerSera Therapeutics LLC, Tesaro, A GSK Company, and Verastem Inc.

RESEARCH TO PRACTICE CME PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS, STAFF AND REVIEWERS — Planners, scientific staff and independent reviewers for Research To Practice have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

This educational activity contains discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research To Practice does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings. The opinions expressed are those of the presenters and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantor. 

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Lilly. 

Release date: October 14, 2026
Expiration date: October 14, 2027

Ahn IE et al. A phase 2 study of fixed-duration pirtobrutinib and obinutuzumab in previously untreated CLL. EHA 2026;Abstract S148.

Hallek M et al. iwCLL guidelines for diagnosis, indications for treatment, response assessment, and supportive management of CLL. Blood 2018;131(25):2745-60. Abstract

Phase III evaluation of fixed duration zanubrutinib plus sonrotoclax-based therapy compared to continuous zanubrutinib in previously untreated older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). NCT07321652

Ryan CE et al. MAJIC: A phase III trial of acalabrutinib + venetoclax versus venetoclax + obinutuzumab in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. Future Oncol 2022;18(33):3689-99. Abstract

Stephens DM et al. Feasibility of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor discontinuation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: The patient perspective. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2025;25(9):e663-7. Abstract

Swaminathan M et al. Addition of obinutuzumab after one year of combined acalabrutinib and venetoclax is safer and effective than early obinutuzumab in a randomized phase II trial for treatment naïve CLL. ASH 2025;Abstract 681.

Wierda WG et al. Pirtobrutinib in treatment-naïve patients with CLL/SLL: Pooled results from BRUIN CLL-313 and BRUIN CLL-314. ASCO 2026;Abstract 7044.

Woyach JA et al. Pirtobrutinib versus ibrutinib in treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2026;44(6):476-85. Abstract