Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic Leukemia in 2015

Abstract

Chemotherapy combinations with monoclonal antibodies are now the basis for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Rituximab, the most widely used anti-CD20 antibody in routine clinical practice, led not only to improvement of progression-free survival, but also to improvement of overall survival in previously untreated patients with good performance status in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. This regimen has become the standard treatment for patients in good physical condition. Rituximab and the newest anti-CD20 antibody obinutuzumab in combination with chlorambucil, as compared with chlorambucil alone, prolonged overall survival in previously untreated patients with significant comorbidities, and the combination of anti-CD20 antibody with chlorambucil has become the standard regimen in this group of patients. Alemtuzumab and ofatumumab improved treatment results in refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Targeted therapy with combination chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia represents a significant advance in the treatment of this disease.