VenEx precisely predicts ven-aza response

In this issue of Blood, Kytl et al demonstrate the utility of ex vivo drugsensitivity testing for venetoclax to accurately predict response and overall survival to the venetoclax and azacitidine (Ven-Aza) regimen in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the prospective VenEx trial, 1 which included de novo and relapsed/refractory disease.Although the Ven-Aza regimen achieves complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) in two-thirds of untreated patients, the response rate in secondary or relapsed AML is lower, 21% to 40% CR/CRi.Thus, the ability to select patients who are likely to respond would be helpful.The ex vivo drugsensitivity test exhibited both positive and negative predictive values after stratification using a drug-sensitivity score (DSS) derived from the assay.