Arzerra™ Approved for Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (11/2/2009)
The targeted therapy Arzerra™ (ofatumumab) has been granted accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is refractory to Fludara® (fludarabine) and Campath® (alemtuzumab).

Final Results Published of Randomized Trial of Treanda® Versus Chlorambucil for Initial Treatment of CLL (9/28/2009)
European researchers have published the final results of the randomized clinical trial showing a higher response rate and improved progression-free survival for Treanda® (bendamustine) compared with chlorambucil for the initial treatment of patients with Binet Stage B and C chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These results were published in the September 10, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Preliminary results of this study were presented at the 2007 and 2008 meetings of the American Society of Hematology.

Subcutaneous Campath Effective in Refractory CLL (9/16/2009)
Researchers from Germany have reported that, because of “efficacy, convenience, improved adverse effect profile and cost savings”, Campath® (alemtuzumab) given subcutaneously should be the treatment of choice for Fludara® (fludarabine)-refractory patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The details of this study appeared early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on August 20, 2009.

Gleevec® 800 mg/day May Improve Cytogenetic and Molecular Responses in CML (9/11/2009)
Researchers involved in the multicenter U.S. RIGHT trial have reported that Gleevec® (imatinib) 400 mg twice per day is more effective than the standard 400 mg/day for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP). The details of this study were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology early online on August 31, 2009.

Rituxan®, Fludara®, Cytoxan®, and Novantrone® Highly Active in CLL (9/10/2009)
Researchers from Spain have reported that the combination of Rituxan® (rituximab), Fludara® (fludarabine), Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide), and Novantrone® (mitoxantrone) is highly active in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The details of this study appeared in an early online publication on August 24, 2009 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.