Onkologie. 2013:7(3):117-120

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - diagnosis and treatment

Anna Panovská, Michael Doubek

Interní hematoonkologická klinika, FN a LF MU Brno

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a low-grade lymphoma, typically found in eldery people. CLL is the most common leukemia in the

Western World, it makes up almost 30% of all leukemias. Pathogenesis of CLL is still unknown, however, an antigen stimulation, apoptotic

defects and the role of microenvironment are often discussed. At present, new prognostic factors are being analyzed in order to define

a risk subgroup of patients that would benefit from early and intensive start of therapy. Treatment of CLL has made a great progress in the

last decade. While a few years ago chlorambucil was a golden standard in the CLL therapy, currently, the combination of a chemotherapy

backbone with the monoclonal antibody has opened up new horizons for CLL therapy. Patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy can

achieve years of complete remission of CLL. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation still represents the only curative approach.

Keywords: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, epidemiology, prognostic factors, chemoimmunotherapy, allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Published: July 1, 2013  Show citation