Phase II study of alemtuzumab–rituximab therapy in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: short- and long-term outcomes. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frankfurt, Olga; Ma, Shuo; Gordon, Leo; Winter, Jane N.; Horowitz, Jeanne M.; Rademaker, Alfred; Weitner, Bing Bing; Peterson, LoAnn C.; Altman, Jessica K.; Tallman, Martin S.; Petrich, Adam; Rosen, Steven T.
• Is Part Of: Leukemia & lymphoma. Volume 56:Issue 2(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 315
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Leukemia -- Periodicals; Lymphomas -- Periodicals; 616.99419
• DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2014.910654
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-8194

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>We investigated the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of alemtuzumab and rituximab (AR) combination therapy in previously untreated patients with CLL. Thirty patients, ages 28–80 years, 47% older than 60 years, 90% Rai clinical stages II–IV, and 67% without favorable cytogenetics received AR. Based on the NCI-WG 1996 criteria, OR was 100%, with 60% CR. With CT scans OR was 70%, with 23% CR, 47% PR, and 30% SD. Sixty-seven percent of patients showed no evidence of MRD in the bone marrow by 6-color flow cytometry. Median PFS, TFS, and 5-year OS were 24.4, 50.7 months, and 80%, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were reported in 30% and 7% of patients, respectively. CMV reactivation, asymptomatic in all but one patient, occurred in 8 patients. Immunotherapy with alemtuzumab and rituximab results in robust responses and long asymptomatic therapy-free intervals. It is well tolerated with infrequent, predictable, and easily managed complications.</p> </abstract>