How Experts Treat Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

October 16, 2026 · 15 min

Show notes

Explore the latest EHA guidelines on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Richter transformation with key guideline authors Prof Barbara Eichhorst, hematologist at University Hospital Cologne (Germany), and Prof Paolo Ghia, Director of the CLL Program at Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (Milan, Italy).

For the first time, the guidelines no longer recommend chemoimmunotherapy when targeted options are available, based on two key advances: the approval of acalabrutinib plus venetoclax with or without obinutuzumab for frontline CLL, and the approval of pirtobrutinib, a non-covalent BTK inhibitor, for relapsed/refractory disease—particularly after prior covalent BTK inhibitor treatment. The guests also make clear that patient selection matters, including TP53 status, IGHV status, comorbidities, co-medications, safety profile, and patient preferences.

Further, the experts highlight a landmark change in how the recommendations were developed: for the first time, patients and patient advocates participated as authors, bringing a patient-centred perspective to treatment decisions, active surveillance, and supportive care.

Tune in for practical insights into personalized CLL management, fixed-duration targeted therapy, treatment sequencing, and the challenges of Richter transformation.

Guests:

Prof Barbara Eichhorst

University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Prof Paolo Ghia

Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy

Host:

Isabel Olivera-Martínez, PhD,

Medical Writer for EHA

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