Retreatment with bendamustine-containing regimens in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia and indolent B-cell lymphomas achieves high response rates and some long lasting remissions

Leuk Lymphoma. 2013 Aug;54(8):1640-6. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2012.747679. Epub 2012 Dec 5.

Abstract

Bendamustine and bendamustine/rituximab combinations have shown high efficacy in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and indolent B-cell malignancies (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, NHL). No data exist about bendamustine retreatment after relapse, concerning efficacy and toxicity in this patient population. Eighty-eight outpatients (57 patients with CLL, 31 patients with NHL) who had previously been treated with bendamustine were retreated with a bendamustine regimen. Treatment consisted of bendamustine (B) or bendamustine + mitoxantrone (BM) or bendamustine + rituximab (BR) or bendamustine + mitoxantrone + rituximab (BMR). Median age was 72 years (50-88). A reversible grade 3 or 4 leukocytopenia or thrombocytopenia was observed in 24% and 13%, respectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was 76% (7% complete remission [CR], 69% partial remission [PR]) with 77% (6% CR, 71% PR) in CLL and 71% (8% CR, 63% PR) in NHL. ORR according to regimen was as follows: B: 57% (14% CR, 43% PR), BM: 70% (4% CR, 66% PR), BR: 55% (10% CR, 45% PR), BMR: 84% (7% CR, 78% PR). Bendamustine retreatment is feasible and achieves high response rates and some long lasting remissions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bendamustine Hydrochloride
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / mortality
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction
  • Retreatment
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Nitrogen Mustard Compounds
  • Bendamustine Hydrochloride