Can Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Be Cured by FCR Immunochemotherapy?

Medically fit patients without adverse prognostic biomarkers achieved durable remissions and improved survival with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab.

The fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) regimen is standard front-line treatment for younger and clinically fit patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Investigators in Germany have now reviewed the long-term outcomes of an industry-supported, multicenter, prospective, phase III trial that compared FCR with FC in 817 previously untreated CLL patients. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined in prognostic subgroups defined by biomarkers, including IGHV mutation status and FISH-based cytogenetics.

At a median follow-up of 5.9 years, median PFS was significantly prolonged with FCR versus FC (57 vs. 33 months; P<0.001), with very few relapses after 7 years; OS was also significantly prolonged wit…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD, ScM

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, ScM

Disclosures

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

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

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

Can Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Be Cured by FCR Immunochemotherapy?

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Reviewing Author