title: [Detection and impact of minimal residual disease on outcome of chronic lymphocytic leukemia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimal residual disease is associated with longer overall survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the authors was to determine the clinical significance of remission and minimal residual disease on the survival of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 42 first-line treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were analyzed. Minimal residual disease was determined by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall response and complete remission was achieved in 91%, 86%, 100% and 87%, 0%, 60% of patients with fludarabine-based combinations, single-agent fludarabine and cyclophosphamide + vincristin + prednisolone regimen, respectively. Minimal residual disease eradication was feasible only with fludarabine-based combinations in 60% of these cases. The ratio of minimal residual disease was 0.5% on average. During a median follow-up period lasting 30 months, the overall survival of patients with fludarabine-resistant disease proved to be significantly shorter (p = 0.04), while complete remission without minimal residual disease was associated with significantly longer progression free survival (p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only fludarabine-based combinations were able to eradicate minimal residual disease in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Complete remission without minimal residual disease may predict longer progression free survival in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Vas Megyei Markusovszky Kórház, Egyetemi Oktatókórház Nonprofit Zrt. Haematologiai és Haemostaseologiai Osztály, Szombathely. planderm@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Márk
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plander
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skrapits
authors.forename: Tünde
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bozsó
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Szendrei
authors.forename: János László
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Iványi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006766:Hospitals, County / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine