Novel Chemotherapy Agent Bendamustine Significantly More Effective First-Line Therapy Than Chlorambucil in CLL
Blood Marrow Normalised in 31% (Versus 2%) of Patients, With Manageable Side-Effects
In the study, patients treated with the chemotherapy agent bendamustine (162 of the total 319 patients) achieved a median progression-free survival of 21.6 months, compared to only 8.3 months for chlorambucil (p<0.0001), enabling them to live without worsening CLL for over a year longer.
An improvement in the duration of remission was also shown (median 21.8 months in the bendamustine group, versus 8.0 months in the chlorambucil group), and complete or partial responses were achieved in 68% of bendamustine-treated, and 31% of chlorambucil-treated patients (p<0.0001).
Haematological adverse events (grades III-IV Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC)) were more common with bendamustine than with chlorambucil (occurring in 40% versus 19% of patients). Severe infections (grades III-IV) occurred in 7% of bendamustine-treated patients and 3% of chlorambucil-treated patients. The side effects experienced by patients treated with bendamustine, were manageable and of short duration.
Most read news
Other news from the department research and development
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.