Lenalidomide induces long-lasting responses in elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Blood. 2013 Aug 1;122(5):734-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2013-04-495341. Epub 2013 Jun 25.

Abstract

We evaluated long-term outcomes of 60 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with an initial therapy of lenalidomide. At a median follow-up of 4 years, time-to-treatment failure has not been reached and overall survival is 82%. Thirty-five (58%) patients had a response lasting >36 months (long-term responders [LTRs]). Best LTR responses consisted of 25 (71%) complete remissions and 10 (29%) partial remissions. In addition to clinical responses, an increase in IgA, IgG, and IgM levels of >50% from baseline was reported in 61%, 45%, and 42% of LTRs. Normalization in the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells and T-cell numbers was observed in 48%, 71% and 99% of LTRs. Compared with other patients in the study, LTRs had lower baseline plasma levels of β-2-microglobulin, were more likely to have trisomy 12, and less likely to have deletion 17p.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00535873.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lenalidomide
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / immunology
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Neoplasm, Residual
  • Remission Induction
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Thalidomide
  • Lenalidomide

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00535873