Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related disorders

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a hetereogenous disease with outcomes based on cytogenetics, immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement (IgVH) status, and other disease-specific characteristics. According to SEER data, in 2016, there will be 18,960 new cases of CLL diagnosed and more than 100,000 people with CLL living in the USA (http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/clyl.html). Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab is an effective regimen in CLL, producing long-term survivors. However, given that the average age of newly diagnosed patients with CLL is 71, many patients are not candidates for this therapy. Recently, there have been several new agents approved for use in CLL including inhibitors of BTK, PI3K, and BCL-2. There are many other agents in various stages of clinical development. These agents are particularly exciting since they are highly effective and generally well tolerated.