Despite much progress in therapy, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common leukemia in the Western world, remains incurable. The use of fludarabine alone or associated to cyclophosphamide and/or mitoxantrone or doxorubicin improved the objective response, including complete response (also molecular) and the progression- and relapse-free-survival. Several authors have suggested the introduction of monoclonal antibodies in order to improve the results. Despite that, all treated patients will further relapse or progress and salvage treatment should be used. In the present state-of-the art, salvage treatment is similar to those used as front line therapy. Indeed the criteria to start treatment are the same as defined by NCI for the front line therapy. Fludarabine alone or associated should be the therapy of choice for relapsed patients also for those previously treated with fludarabine. The use of monoclonal antibodies particularly rituximab is a good option although this procedure has not been considered as the standard therapy until now. Alemtuzumab is a very efficient monoclonal antibody and promotes significant benefits in clinical and hematological responses also in heavily treated or fludarabine refractory patients. The HPCT has limited indication due to the risks of high dose therapy in elderly patients. Autologous HPCT may be used specifically in young patients, if possible in complete remission, in order to improve the progression- or disease-free-survival. Conventional or with reduced intensity allogeneic HPCT may be used in patients presenting with a sibling donor particularly those under 60 years old, in fludarabine refractory patients or in patients presenting with unfavorable cytogenetics (17p-), with a curative objective.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation; fludarabine; alemtuzumab; rituximab
