Observational study of treatment patterns among patients initiating first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the U.S. community oncology setting.

Abstract

e18023 Background: For patients (pts) able to tolerate the combination, fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) is preferred in first-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (NCCN, 2014). However, other regimens are suggested for pts with advanced age and/or significant comorbidities. This study compared pts who received full-dose fludarabine (F, 25mg/m2) as part of their first-line treatment from those who did not in the US community oncology setting. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study analyzed 404 pts who initiated CLL treatment between 1/1/2007 and 7/1/2013. Comparisons were made between demographic/clinical factors and treatment using t-tests or Fisher Exact Test, or a non-parametric equivalent. Results: F-containing regimens were used in 36% of the full cohort (147 of 404), and other common regimens contained/consisted of chlorambucil (21%, n=86), bendamustine (20%, n=79), or single-agent rituximab (17%, n=69). From 2007 to 2013, the percent receiving F declined from 41% to 20%...