Abstract
Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL ) achieved extraordinary progress in the last years. An important milestone in the treatment of CLL was the introduction of monoclonal antibodies and combined immunochemotherapy, which led to significant improvements in treatment outcomes as well as a first extension of overall survival.
Despite these therapeutic successes CLL is still considered an incurable disease. Only allogeneic transplantation is potentially curative potential.
However, it is feasible only for small selected group of younger patients. With the expanding knowledge of CLL and new treatment options we try to individualize treatment for patients than taking into account the patient's age, biological factors, associated diseases, and our therapeutic goals.
The development of new drugs and treatment combinations in CLL progresses rapidly forward and provides hope for further improvement of the prognosis of our patients.