New results from the UK-wide FLAIR trial reveal new hope for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, as personalised drug treatments outperform traditional chemotherapy.
When Catherine Whitfield, a 63-year-old from Farnley, West Yorkshire, started noticing symptoms such as bleeding gums, constant illness and neck pain, she never imagined it would lead to a cancer diagnosis. However, taking part in a groundbreaking clinical trial — has helped reshape the way chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is treated, not just for her, but for patients around the world.
Today, the FLAIR trial, led by Dr Talha Munir at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, co-ordinated by the Leeds Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Leeds and sponsored by the University of Leeds, announced findings that could transform treatment for the most common form of leukaemia in adults. The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and shared with experts at the European Haematology Association in Milan, show that a combination of two targeted drugs – ibrutinib and venetoclax with treatment guided by personalised blood tests, offers significantly better outcomes than standard chemotherapy. This leads to better survival, fewer long-term side effects, and the possibility of life without chemotherapy for many patients.
And for Catherine, it meant her life back. She said: “After three years of treatment, I am still MRD negative. That means no cancer cells. I feel well, I’m back in the garden, and I’m still doing the farm accounts and the books for a local electrician”.
Personalised treatment, powerful results
This part of the FLAIR trial followed 786 people with previously untreated CLL across 96 centres in the UK. It tested whether newer drugs designed to target cancer cells more precisely than chemotherapy could lead to longer remission and fewer complications. The answer was a resounding yes.
After five years:
- 93.9% of patients who received ibrutinib plus venetoclax were alive with no disease progression
- This compares to 79.0% for those on ibrutinib alone and 58.1% for those on standard chemotherapy (FCR)
- 66.2% of patients on the new combination had no detectable cancer in their bone marrow after two years, vs. 0% on ibrutinib alone and 48.3% on chemotherapy
Dr Talha Munir, Consultant Haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “FLAIR trial is a milestone. We have shown that a chemotherapy-free approach can be not only more effective but also more tolerable for patients. By tailoring individualised treatment based on how well the cancer responds, we’re moving into an era of truly personalised medicine.”
Catherine’s story is at the heart of this success. Diagnosed in 2018, she joined the trial after discussing it with clinicians at Leeds.
Catherine said: “I’d lost my husband to cancer. I have seen how hard it could be. My first thought after my diagnosis was, I will never see my grandchildren being born and growing up. But the way this trial was explained — it just made sense. Also, the thought of chemotherapy was scary to me. The trial felt right. And it was. Now I have two grandchildren, Drew and Alaia and they are a delight and highlight the joys of a healthy life”.
While chemotherapy had once been the mainstay of CLL treatment, Catherine was spared its harsher side effects.
“I thought bone marrow biopsies would be the worst, but even that was okay. The team explained the FLAIR trial so clearly. I felt supported, informed and hopeful. They were all brilliant — Dr Peter, Dr Tal, the nurses — every step was clear, and I felt completely supported. I believe the trial has been a success and I am grateful to the team” she added.
Dr Talha Munir Consultant Haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals said: “This isn’t just about data. It’s about people like Catherine, and thousands of others, who trusted us with their care. Thanks to them, we’re changing the future of cancer treatment.”
The trial was funded by Cancer Research UK, AbbVie, and Johnson & Johnson, and represents a successful partnership between NHS hospitals, universities, and the pharmaceutical industry — all working together to deliver hope to patients across the UK.
Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: “The results of the FLAIR trial show that we can provide kinder, more targeted treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which gives people with CLL more precious time with their loved ones.
“We’re hopeful that the results of the FLAIR trial will power new treatment options for leukaemia and other blood cancers, thanks to the efforts of researchers in Leeds and across the UK working together on this trial.”
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia affects around 3,800 people in the UK each year. Traditional chemotherapy can be effective, but it often comes with serious side effects. The FLAIR trial’s findings suggest that patients can now receive more targeted treatments that not only extend survival but improve quality of life.