title: Dose-dense high-dose methylprednisolone and rituximab in the treatment of relapsed or refractory high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of dose-dense high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) plus rituximab (Rtx) in patients with high-risk CLL. Twenty-nine patients with relapsed or progressive CLL with adverse cytogenetics (17p deletion, TP53 mutation, 11q deletion, and/or trisomy 12) and/or progression within 12 months of fludarabine treatment were included. HDMP (1 g/m(2)) was administered daily for 5 days of each treatment course. Rtx was administered on days 1 (375 mg/m(2)) and 5 (500 mg/m(2)) of the first treatment course, on days 1 (500 mg/m(2)) and 5 (500 mg/m(2)) of the second course, and on day 1 (500 mg/m(2)) of courses 3-6. The cycles were repeated every 21 days. The overall response rate (ORR) was 62%, and 28% of patients had stable disease. In 13 patients with 17p deletion/TP53 mutation, ORR was 69%. After 22 months, the median progression-free and overall survivals were 12 and 31 months, respectively. The most frequent toxicity was hyperglycemia, and three deaths occurred in the study. Dose-dense treatment with HDMP and Rtx is an effective therapy with a favorable safety profile in patients with high-risk CLL, including those with 17p deletion/TP53 mutation.
authors: Department of Hematology, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Clinics, Vilnius, Lithuania. regina.pileckyte@santa.lt
authors: Regina
authors: R
authors: Pileckyte
authors: Mindaugas
authors: M
authors: Jurgutis
authors: Vilma
authors: V
authors: Valceckiene
authors: Mindaugas
authors: M
authors: Stoskus
authors: Egle
authors: E
authors: Gineikiene
authors: Jurgita
authors: J
authors: Sejoniene
authors: Andrius
authors: A
authors: Degulys
authors: Tadas
authors: T
authors: Zvirblis
authors: Laimonas
authors: L
authors: Griskevicius