Discussion of CLL8 - FC+R paper in The Lancet

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Haines I, Elliott P, Stanley R.

" The claim by Hillmen (p 1122),1 on the basis of the CLL8 study,2 that the

combination of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) is now " the

gold standard " for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia seems premature. "

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60042-1/fullte\

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Tanimoto T, Sakiyama M, Hori A, Yagasaki F, Kami M.

" M Hallek and colleagues (Oct 2, p 1164)1 compared fludarabine and

cyclophosphamide with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab as a

first-line therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. They showed

that use of the rituximab-containing regimen improved 3-year progression-free

survival from 45% to 65%. It was also associated with improved overall survival

from 83% to 87%.

However, Hallek and colleagues did not provide sufficient information on

subsequent treatments after the first-line therapy. "

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60041-X/fullte\

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CLL8 Response: Hallek M, Fink A, Busch R, Fischer K

" We appreciate the comments from Tetsuya Tanimoto and colleagues, and Ian Haines

and colleagues. They allow us to clarify a few important points. "

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60043-3/fullte\

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