Fludarabine monophosphate in refractory B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Maintenance may be significant to sustain response

In the present study we report our results on the efficacy of Fludarabine monophosphate in 20 B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Of the 20 patients 14 were males and 6 females with a median age of 58 years (44-70). Eight had Binet stage B and 12 stage C. They were previously treated with chlorambucil, prednisone, mini-CHOP or irradiation. Their disease duration prior to fludarabine administration was 49 months (7-180). Fludarabine was given at a dose of 25mg/m(2) daily, for five consecutive days, monthly for six months and if responding for six additional months. Treatment was administered on an outpatient basis. Complete response (CR) was observed in 7 patients (33%) and partial remission (PR) in 5 (25%). Of the complete responders 5 were males and 2 females with a median age of 60 years (range 55-68); three of them had stage B and 4 stage C disease; the median number of fludarabine courses for achieving CR was 3 (range 2-5). In all CR patients a residual monoclonal CD5/CD19 positive lymphocyte population was found in the peripheral blood. All CRs relapsed shortly after discontinuation of therapy within 12 months. The main toxicity observed was upper respiratory tract and/or pulmonary infections in 8 patients, requiring hospitalization. Among the CRs one patient died during the administration of the third course of therapy, due to a severe hypersensitivity reaction with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The importance of maintenance therapy is also stressed as PR was sustained in some patients using 3 day cycles every 2-4 months. One patient was maintained in this fashion for 60 + months. This study showed that fludarabine is effective in CLL patients refractory to conventional chemotherapy thus it may be given as the treatment of choice if such patients still require treatment.