[Curative efficacy of fludarabine combined with rituximab and amifostine on aged patient with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi. 2007 Oct;15(5):989-92.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a progressive accumulation of lymphocytes, which occurs predominantly in elderly patients. As present one of the major problems in the treatment of CLL is low complete remission rate, others are complication and toxicity of drugs, such as myelosuppression, infections and disorder of immunosystem function, especially in elderly patients. This study reported that a 74-year-old male patient with B-CLL effectively and safely was treated with fludarabine (nucleatide reductase inhibitor), rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) and amifostine. The patient was given fludarabine and rituximab in standard dose, but the time of drug given is different from conventional treatment, it was adjusted according to the patient status. The results showed that no chill, fever and infection occurred during treatment. Furthermore, blood cell count and hemoglobin level recovered to normal after the end of treatment. In conclusion, the individualized protocol of fludarabine combined with rituximab and amifostine showed the safety and effectiveness for treatment of aged patient with CLL. Amifostine is drug known as chemoprotectants, can alleviate or eliminate the immunological disorder from CLL and the adverse effects from chemotherapy, such as myelosuppression, infection, fever and so on.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amifostine / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vidarabine / administration & dosage
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Rituximab
  • Vidarabine
  • Amifostine
  • fludarabine