Therapeutic advancement of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Despite the combinations of chemotherapy with monoclonal antibodies have furtherimproved response rates, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains an incurable diseasewith an extremely variable course. This article reviews the ongoing clinical advances in thetreatment of CLL in both previously untreated and relapsed disease and focuses on the benefitof different therapeutic strategies, the most effective therapy combinations and the potentialactivity of novel agents. Novel agents and combination therapies have been investigated byseveral studies in both the upfront and relapsed setting, particularly for patients with 17pdeletion, TP53 mutation and fludarabine-refractory CLL. While these agents and combinationtherapies have improved initial response rates, ongoing studies are continued to determineand improve the efficacy and safety. Despite advancements in the treatment of CLL have ledto high response rates, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)remains the only curative option and reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) allo-HSCT mustbe strongly considered whenever feasible. As such, ongoing studies of these agents and othernovel approaches in clinical development are needed to expand and improve treatmentoptions for CLL patients.

via Journal of Hematology & Oncology