Treatment of elderly and comorbid patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

© Interní medicína pro praxi, 2017. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) occurs primarily in the elderly. The high prevalence of serious comorbidities, which may have a major impact on the treatment course, is frequent in these patients. Recently, the focus of clinical research in CLL has been shifted on the elderly and comorbid patients. Results of the randomized trials provided us a fundamental improvement of treatment responses and prolonged overall survival. Chemoimmunotherapy combining chlorambucil with an anti-CD20 antibody (obinutuzumab, ofatumumab a rituximab) is current standard approach for 1st line treatment of elderly/comorbid patients. Bendamustin plus rituximab or dose attenuated FCR are other treatment options. Novel targeted therapy inhibiting B-cell receptor signaling (ibrutinib and idelalisib) or anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein (venetoclax) provided a revolutionary therapeutic improvement particularly in relapsed/refractory CLL. Assessment of performance status, renal function, comorbidities and individual evaluation of patient's fitness may help us in treatment decision making.