Campath-1H and fludarabine in combination are highly active in refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Blood. 2002 Mar 15;99(6):2245-7. doi: 10.1182/blood.v99.6.2245.

Abstract

Campath-1H (alemtuzumab) is the most effective monoclonal antibody in single-agent use in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with reported response rates of 33% to 70%. Combination therapy is now the conventional treatment for most hematologic malignancies. Monoclonal antibody treatments may sensitize tumor cells to subsequent chemotherapy. We report the combination of Campath-1H with fludarabine in patients with CLL refractory to each agent used singly. Six patients who had received a median of 8 courses of fludarabine (range, 4-10 courses) and 16 weeks of Campath-1H (range, 8-32 weeks) were treated. Five patients responded, including one who had a complete response by National Cancer Institute criteria. The responses observed were better in each patient than responses after each agent used singly. Complete morphologic bone marrow responses were seen in 3 patients, including eradication of disease measured by sensitive flow cytometry in 2. Campath-1H combined with fludarabine is a highly promising novel therapy for refractory CLL.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Drug Resistance
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / diagnosis
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Remission Induction
  • Therapeutic Equivalency
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vidarabine / administration & dosage*
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Vidarabine
  • fludarabine