Efficacy of oral fludarabine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.
10.3969/j.issn.1672-7347.2013.03.001
- Author:
Yan ZHU
1
;
Qun QIN
;
Zhaoxia XIE
Author Information
1. Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha 410008, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Aged;
Antineoplastic Agents;
adverse effects;
therapeutic use;
Female;
Humans;
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell;
drug therapy;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Treatment Outcome;
Vidarabine;
adverse effects;
analogs & derivatives;
therapeutic use
- From:
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences)
2013;38(3):221-224
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy and safety of oral fludarabine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL).
METHODS:The patients received oral fludarabine 40 mg/(m2.d) for 5 consecutive days, each treatment lasting 4 weeks. The efficacy was assessed with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria for response.
RESULTS:Twenty-two patients received the treatment, a median of 4 cycles per patient. The rate of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and overall response (OR) was 40.9% (9/22), 45.5% (10/22), and 86.4% (19/22), respectively. Among the 17 previously untreated patients, 7 (41.2%) achieved CR and 8 (47.0%) achieved PR. Two of the 5 pre-treated patients achieved CR and the other 2 achieved PR. During a median observation of 24 months, the overall survival rate was 81.8%. The main adverse reactions were myelosuppression and infection. Grade 1 to 3 granulocytopenia was found in 7 (31.8%) patients, and infection in 3 (13.6%) patients. Nonhematologic toxicity was mild. All the adverse reactions were reversible.
CONCLUSION:The oral fludarabine is effective, safe, and well-tolerated in the patients with CLL/ SLL.
