title: Richter's Transformation in the Era of Kinase Inhibitor Therapy: A Review.
abstract: Richter's transformation (RT) is the transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) into rapidly progressive B-cell lymphoma. This disease has long been recognized as a difficult-to-treat illness with poor survival outcomes. Although the incidence of RT has been well documented in previous studies, less is understood in the era of novel therapeutics, such as kinase inhibitors (KIs). The present review discusses the current risk factors, incidence, and outcomes of patients with RT in the modern era of KI therapy. Although the outcomes remain poor for RT patients after KI therapy, the most up-to-date studies have shown no increased incidence of RT in this patient population. Additionally, the present review reports the outcomes from the most recent data on novel therapies under investigation for patients with RT.
authors.affiliation: Center for CLL, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ayers
authors.affiliation: Center for CLL, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: Anthony.Mato@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mato
mesh_terms: D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors
keywords: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; KIs; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; RT