Timing of Calquence and Venclexta

Posted by ponder @ponder, Jun 21 8:04am

Hi All!
I was diagnosed with CLL/SLL in 2022 and started the watch and wait process. Since then, I've had a successful esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (although with several complications) and then a partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. At this point I am tiring of the lack of energy and splenic pain from my CLL and have started on Calquence. This has worked well with a shrinking of the spleen although energy levels still haven't improved significantly. The plan is to follow the established protocol of 2 (28 day) cycles of Calquence followed by 12 cycles of Venclexta added to the Calquence. My question is whether a weeks delay of starting Venclexta is acceptable. I'm had hoped to be out of town for the week where I'm scheduled to start Venclexta since I don't know how I will react to it and would like to be home to start. I sent this question to my Oncologist and waiting on his answer but wanted to see if you all had any input. Thanks!

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 21 10:40am

Hi @ponder You’ve certainly had your share of medical adventures the past couple of years. Cancer of any source can be an energy drain and I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all that. Having dealt with esophageal cancer, you’re certainly a trooper! What you’ve gone through takes time for the body to recouperate.

You mentioned your CLL/SLL is now being treated with Calquence and has been successful in shrinking your enlarged spleen. Your doctor will be adding Venclexta to your current program and you’re wondering if it’s ok to delay the start treatment cycle for a week or so before starting.

That is a question for your oncology team. But generally, depending on the circumstances of course, having a gap before starting a new treatment doesn’t present an issue. If you were a critically ill person, with very low blood numbers and starting treatment was vital, that’s one thing. From my own experinence, if you’re currently being treated, blood numbers are holding and nothing critical pending, waiting a week before starting a new medication shouldn’t be an issue. But if treatment schedules are already set that will skew those. Because the cycles are every 28 days.

Have you asked your oncologist if it’s ok to delay a week or so?

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