IX. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia for the clinician

Abstract

Several new drugs have recently been approved for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment (fludarabine, bendamustine as well as three monoclonal antibodies, alemtuzumab, rituximab and ofatumumab). Recent data show that chemoimmunotherapies composed of fludarabine and rituximab (with or without cyclophosphamide), or of fludarabine and alemtuzumab may improve overall survival when used as therapy for CLL patients. This review integrates this knowledge and proposes a treatment algorithm for patients with CLL.