High dose methylprednisolone and rituximab is an effective therapy in advanced refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia resistant to fludarabine therapy

Abstract

The combination of high dose methylprednisolone and rituximab induces superior overall (93%) and complete (14%) response rates compared to high dose methylprednisolone alone (overall 43%, complete remission 0%) in heavily pre-treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with advanced disease. Despite its efficacy the combination is not easily manageable because of the high rate of opportunistic infections.