Fludarabine in Resistant or Relapsing B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia The Spanish Group Experience

Abstract

Fludarabine produces high response rates in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Nevertheless, response to fludarabine of patients with previously treated CLL varies from 17% to 74% (0% to 38% CR). In 68 patients with heavily pretreated and advanced CLL, an overall response rate to fludarabine of 28% (4% CR) was observed. Response correlated with sensitivity of the disease to previous treatments (relapsing vs. refractory disease) (62% vs. 20%; p = 0.005) and, albeit not significantly, with the number of cycles of fludarabine (>3 vs. ±3) that patients could receive (36% vs. 15%; p = NS). Responding patients had a longer survival (median, not reached) than those not responding (median, 11 months) (p = 0.03). Severe toxicity was observed in some cases. It is concluded that fludarabine is a highly useful agent in CLL. However, in order to improve its effectiveness and decrease its toxicity, fludarabine should be given as soon as a lack of response to front-line therapy is observed and before the disease becomes completely resistant to therapy.

Key Words:

• B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Fludarabine
• Treatment