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VIDEO: Adding rituximab to chemotherapy increases PFS in patients with CLL

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CHICAGO — Gilles A. Salles, MD, PhD, professor at University Hospital of Lyon in France, discusses research presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting about the use of rituximab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who have responded to four courses of FCR.

The study demonstrated the addition of rituximab (Rituxan; Genentech, Biogen) increased PFS in patients with CLL who had previously responded to four courses of FCR.

However, there was no increase in OS, according to Salles.

“The discussion that arose after this presentation was whether this endpoint – such as PFS – in this setting of patients with CLL was meaningful [even though] there was no overall survival benefit,” he said.

Salles offers insight into the notion that perhaps new options may be of consideration as an alternative for patients aged over 65 years who fail FCR.

“It’s an interesting concept and … it has to be taken into account, and maybe further analysis of this trial may help us to understand that for some patients this may be an option to further consider,” he said.