Immunomodulators in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: where does lenalidomide belong?

Abstract

The significant clinical activity of lenalidomide in relapsed CLL was first described several years ago. Since then the problems of tumor flare and tumor lysis have emerged, and upfront single agent studies have reported response rates that were perhaps a little disappointing. Interest in elucidating the place of lenalidomide in CLL therapy remains intense, however, and combination studies are in progress. As laboratory efforts start to provide more insight into the mechanisms of antitumor efficacy and tumor flare, rational strategies for combination therapy will soon follow.

Keywords:

• CLL
• lenalidomide
• tumor flare

Declaration of interest: The author discloses that Celgene provided per patient support and free drug for her investigator-initiated study of lenalidomide in combination with fludarabine rituximab. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.