Impact of age and comorbidities on the efficacy of FC and FCR regimens in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

• DOI: 10.1007/s00277-018-3409-3
• Publication Date: 2018-06-26T06:36:38Z
• Authors: Vladimir Strugov; Elena Stadnik; Yulia Virts; Tatyana Andreeva; Andrey Zaritskey
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Comorbidity; Middle Aged; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Female; Aged; Retrospective Studies

CLL is an aging-associated neoplasm with median age at diagnosis > 65 years. Little is known about safety and efficacy of FC/FCR regimens in elderly CLL patients with multiple comorbidities. We retrospectively revised medical records of 90 patients treated with FC/FCR regimens in our clinic. Data on demographic and biological characteristics, comorbidities, response to therapy, and treatment-associated adverse events were analyzed. Compared to FC, FCR yielded higher rates of OR (93.6 vs. 81.4%, p = .109) and CR (72.3 vs. 46.5%, p = .018). This translated in longer EFS (median 52 vs. 19 months, p = <.001) and OS (median 89 vs. 45 months, p = .001). Elderly patients (≥ 65 years) had more comorbidities and higher median CIRS-G score (7 vs. 4, p < .001). However, no association was found between CIRS-G score and survival. Decreased renal function was associated with dismal prognosis in patients treated with FCR.