Biologic agent activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a framework for future therapies

Abstract

The previous decade has witnessed remarkable advances in our understanding and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Chemoimmunotherapy has provided patients with unprecedented remission rates and has improved survival compared to chemotherapy alone. However, the availability of targeted therapies and monoclonal antibodies argues for exploring non-cytotoxic and biologic regimens for this disease. In this article, we review available targeted and non-chemotherapeutic agents for CLL, attempting to position these therapies in the treatment paradigm of CLL in the era of risk stratification as we move forward.

Keywords:

• Immunotherapeutic approaches
• lymphoid leukemia
• pharmacotherapeutics
• signaling therapies
• chemotherapeutic approaches

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.