Episode 165: CLL Updates Series, Pt. 2 – Relapsed/Refractory in 2026

Episode 165: CLL Updates Series, Pt. 2 – Relapsed/Refractory in 2026

This week we wrap up our two-part CLL update by turning to relapsed and refractory disease. We pick up with the 68-year-old man from Part 1, now a year out from frontline therapy and showing signs of relapse. We cover when relapse actually needs treatment, the history of BTK inhibitor resistance and why BTK mutation testing matters, and how to sequence therapy now that BTK inhibitors and venetoclax have both moved into the frontline. From there we get into venetoclax retreatment, the pirtobrutinib data from BRUIN CLL-321 and the new BRUIN CLL-322 triplet trial, the real-world CAR T experience that is changing how we think about cell therapy in CLL, bispecific antibodies, and the emerging class of BTK degraders. As always, if you haven't heard the earlier episodes in this series, start there first.

If you haven’t done so, be sure to check out our original CLL Series and our CLL Updates Part I episode as this update will draw on concepts covered previously!