Progress in Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Adding rituximab to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide improved progression-free and overall survival in patients with CLL.

Phase II trial data have shown that chemoimmunotherapy improves rates of response and complete remission in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; JW Oncol Hematol Feb 5 2007).

Now, in a manufacturer-funded, phase III trial, an international group of researchers randomized 817 treatment-naive adults (median age, 61) with advanced-stage (Binet C) or active earlier-stage (Binet A or B) CLL to receive 6 cycles of either rituximab plus fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (rituximab group) or just fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC group). Patients had good performance status (ECOG 0–1) and no major comorbidities or autoimmune disease. Antimicrobial prophylaxis and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were not administered routinely to …

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee