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

• Published in: Leukemia & lymphoma 2013-08, Vol.54 (8), p.1640-1646
• Main Authors: Weide, Rudolf, Feiten, Stefan, Friesenhahn, Vera, Heymanns, Jochen, Kleboth, Kristina, Thomalla, Jörg, van Roye, Christoph, Köppler, Hubert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Bendamustine; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; CLL; 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; NHL; Nitrogen Mustard Compounds - administration & dosage; Recurrence; refractory; relapsed; Remission Induction; Retreatment; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1042-8194; 1029-2403
• DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2012.747679

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.