Abstract
The management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has recently undergone major changes. The progress was achieved by combining conventional chemotherapy with monoclonal antibodies.
Chemoimmunotherapy, FCR (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab) is currently established as a gold standard in younger and physically fit patients. However, elderly and/or comorbid patients, who represent the majority of CLL population, may not benefit from such an intensive approach due to high risk of unacceptable toxicity.
Chlorambucil therefore remains the preferred treatment of choice in these patients. Dose-reduced fludarabine-based combinations as well as protocols containing chlorambucil with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are currently evaluated in randomized clinical trials.
Further treatment options include bendamustine in 1st line and high-dose glucocorticoids, alemtuzumab or ofatumumab in refractory CLL; however, experience in older/comorbid patients is still limited and the use of these agents has to be strictly tailored. Comorbidity, performance status, biological age are important prognostic factors that influence decision-making process of treament choice.
Overview of the current and future possibilities in the treatment of elderly and comorbid patients with CLL is provided in this article.