Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL-B) is a neoplasia of indolent behavior for which immediate treatment has not shown an advantage in prolonging the survival of patients in initial stages. However, various agents are effective in the treatment of this disease. Alkylating agents, purine analogs and monoclonal antibodies are the most widely used, giving high response rates in patients who have or have not been previously treated. Based on the synergetic effect observed in vitro, diverse studies have utilized these agents in a combined form. Purine analogs used in isolation or in combination with alkylating agents and monoclonal antibodies obtain better response rates in comparison to those of isolated alkylating agents. Nonetheless, in spite of the expressive increase in the response rates, these new modalities of treatment do not prolong survival and CLL-B remains incurable.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; treatment