RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Routine Use of Bendamustine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: An Observational Study
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 5129
OP 5139
VO 35
IS 9
A1 MARIJANA NINKOVIC
A1 MICHAEL FIEGL
A1 MICHAEL MIAN
A1 PATRIZIA MONDELLO
A1 FLORIAN KOCHER
A1 CHRISTIAN WALDTHALER
A1 IRMGARD VERDORFER
A1 MICHAEL STEURER
A1 GÜNTHER GASTL
A1 ANDREAS PIRCHER
YR 2015
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/35/9/5129.abstract
AB Bendamustine is an established treatment option in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and frequently used in Austria and Italy. Therefore, we analyzed 100 unselected, consecutive patients with CLL (treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory) receiving bendamustine in a real-life setting. Most patients were treated with bendamustine in combination with rituximab (BR). However, bendamustine monotherapy was additionally evaluated. Patients treated with BR had a significantly higher overall response rate of 76% (complete response=22%) when compared to those treated solely with bendamustine (overall response rate=50%; complete response=13%). Overall survival (OS) and progression -ree survival (PFS) were significantly lower in the bendamustine-treated group (OS=14.3 months; PFS=8.3 months) compared to the BR group (OS=42.7; PFS=22.5 months; both p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, patients with a good cytogenetic risk and those receiving BR had a significantly better OS. Grade 3/4 hematological complications were seen in 32% of the patients. Hence, bendamustine, especially in combination with rituximab, is an effective therapy with manageable toxicity for non-selected patients with CLL including those pre-treated with fludarabine and the elderly.