Frailty across the course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL)

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is a chronic, indolent B cell malignancy that predominantly impacts older adults. CLL/SLL-related symptoms impair the quality of life and physical functioning of patients with CLL/SLL compared to the general population, but the impact of CLL/SLL on a patient’s frailty is unclear. Since 2014, multiple novel therapies (i.e., ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, and venetoclax) with improved efficacy and safety were approved to treat CLL/SLL which could substantially benefit older, frailer patients. However, clinical trials frequently exclude older, frailer patients and the uptake of novel therapies in clinical care settings in this patient population is unknown.