A Dose-Ranging Study of Bendamustine and Rituximab in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients With Comorbidities and/or Renal Dysfunction

Study start date: April 1, 2013

Inclusion Criteria: Patients must have histologically or flow cytometry confirmed diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (B-CLL/SLL) according to NCI-WG 1996 guidelines (41). The malignant B cells must co-express CD5 with CD19 or CD20. Patients who lack CD23 expression on their leukemia cells should be examined for (and found NOT to have) either t(11;14) or cyclin D1 overexpression, to rule out mantle cell lymphoma. Active disease meeting at least 1 of the following IWCLL 2008 criteria for requiring treatment: A minimum of any one of the following constitutional symptoms: Unintentional weight loss >10% within the previous 6 months prior to screening. Extreme fatigue (unable to work or perform usual activities). Fevers of greater than 100.5 F for ≥2 weeks without evidence of infection. Night sweats without evidence of infection. Evidence of progressive marrow failure as manifested by the development of, or worsening of anemia or thrombocytopenia. Massive (ie, >6 cm below the left costal margin), progressive or symptomatic splenomegaly. Massive nodes or clusters (ie, > 10 cm in longest diameter) or progressive lymphadenopathy. Progressive lymphocytosis with an increase of >50% over a 2-month period, or an anticipated doubling time of less than 6 months. Autoimmune anemia or thrombocytopenia that is poorly responsive to corticosteroids. Prior treatment: Patients have not had prior treatment of CLL OR Previously treated relapsed CLL patients must have received not more than 3 prior therapies for CLL. Prior bendamustine and rituximab are allowed. Patients must have ECOG performance status 0-3. Patients must have a Cumulative Illness Risk Score [CIRS]≥7 with at least one grade 3-4 category [CLL will not be considered a comorbidity]; or estimated creatinine clearance (CrCL) using the Cockcroft-Gault equation ≥15 mL/min but ≤40 ml/min (Appendix 1: CCI Criteria). Patients must have organ function as defined below: direct bilirubin ≤2 X institutional ULN (unless due to known Gilbert's syndrome or compensated hemolysis directly attributable to CLL) AST or ALT < 2.5 X institutional ULN estimated CrCL using the Cockcroft-Gault equation ≥15 mL/min. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥500/mm3 independent of growth factor support; platelets ≥30,000/mm3 independent of transfusion support with no active bleeding. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum human chorionic gonadotropin or urine pregnancy test at screening. All patients of reproductive potential (heterosexually active men and women) must agree to a use of a barrier method of contraception and a second method of contraception and men must agree not to donate sperm during the study and for 3 months after receiving the last dose of study treatment. Exclusion Criteria: Recent therapeutic intervention including a) prior nitrosoureas or mitomycin C within 6 weeks; b) therapeutic anticancer antibodies (including rituximab) within 4 weeks; c) radio- or toxin-immunoconjugates within 10 weeks; d) all other chemotherapy, radiation therapy within 3 weeks prior to initiation of therapy. Inadequate recovery from adverse events related to prior therapy to grade ≤1 (excluding Grade 2 alopecia and neuropathy). Bendamustine-refractory (no response to a regimen containing bendamustine) or relapse following treatment with a bendamustine-containing regimen within 6 months of treatment with that regimen. Chronic use of corticosteroids in excess of prednisone 20 mg/day or its equivalent or chronic use of other immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, methotrexate, tacrolimus, cyclosporine). Stem cell transplant recipients must have no evidence of active graft-versus-host disease. History of prior malignancy except: a) Malignancy treated with curative intent and no known active disease present for ≥ 2 years prior to initiation of therapy on current study; b) adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer or lentigo maligna without evidence of disease; c) adequately treated in situ carcinomas (eg, cervical, esophageal, etc.) without evidence of disease; d) asymptomatic prostate cancer managed with "watch and wait" strategy. Uncontrolled immune hemolysis or thrombocytopenia (positive direct antiglobulin test in absence of hemolysis is not an exclusion). Known Richter's transformation. Advanced renal failure (estimated CrCL < 15 mL/min) or on dialysis. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Hepatitis C antibody positivity, or active hepatitis B. Major surgery (requiring general anesthesia) within 30 days prior to initiation of therapy. Uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Inability to adhere to the study schedule or the required follow-up.