Campath-1H and Rituxan Used With Chemotherapy
More than half of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients experienced positive responses, including several complete remissions, after taking two drugs with chemotherapy, according to a new, small study.
The M. D. Anderson study involves Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) and rituximab (Rituxan) and the chemotherapy drugs cyclophosphamide and fludarabine (CFAR).
Of 31 participants:
- Seven (23%) achieved complete remission (no evidence of CLL)
- Eleven (35%) experienced a reduction of leukemia tumors by at least half
"An overall response rate like this is very encouraging for these patients who had limited treatment options," says William Wierda, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Leukemia.
Study builds on earlier research
The study follows a trial last year in which 143 patients were treated with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR). The combination produced a positive response rate of 72%, of which 28% of patients achieved complete remission.
Alemtuzumab was added because of a report showing that fludarabine combined with Alemtuzumab resulted in activity in patients who were resistant to both these agents.
- Alemtuzumab targets CD52, a protein on the surface of leukemia cells
- Rituximab targets CD20, also a protein on leukemia cells
In the current trial involving the drugs and CFAR, patients have not experienced serious toxicity.
For more information, please contact the M. D. Anderson Information Line at 1-800-392-1611, option 3.
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