Korean J Med.  2013 Aug;85(2):141-153.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia-Era of Targeted Therapy

• Shin DY
• Kim I

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a unique indolent B-cell leukemia which is rare in Korea. Many patients with early stage CLL do not require immediate treatment, while those with advanced stage or symptoms need systemic chemotherapy. As our understanding about the pathophysiology of CLL increases, significant advances have been achieved in the treatment of this disease. Modern molecular genetics have been revealing remarkable heterogeneity of various genetic alterations and the corresponding prognostic stratification in CLL. The treatment of CLL had been developed from nitrogen mustard alkylating agent like chlorambucil to combination therapy including purine analogues like pentostatin and fludarabine until early 2000s. Since the introduction of targeted agent like anti-CD20 and anti-CD52 monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of CLL, the treatment outcome of CLL has leaped further. In conclusion, one of the current standard regimens in patients with untreated CLL is the combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. We recently passed the entrance for the era of targeted therapy, and are exploring various new agents and their combinations.

Keyword

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Targeted therapy; Rituximab; Prognosis; Treatment

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Chlorambucil
Cyclophosphamide
Humans
Korea
Leukemia, B-Cell
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell
Mechlorethamine
Molecular Biology
Pentostatin
Population Characteristics
Prognosis
Purines
Treatment Outcome
Vidarabine
Rituximab
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Chlorambucil
Cyclophosphamide
Mechlorethamine
Pentostatin
Purines
Vidarabine