Reduced‐dose fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR‐Lite) plus lenalidomide, followed by lenalidomide consolidation/maintenance, in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) remains the standard of care for fit chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients requiring first therapy. However, side effects can be significant, and patients with poor risk features have inferior outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate reduced-dose FCR (FCR-Lite) plus lenalidomide (FCR2) followed by lenalidomide maintenance as a strategy to shorten immunochemotherapy in untreated CLL. Patients received four to six cycles of FCR2. Patients who were minimal residual disease (MRD) negative in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) initiated 12 months of lenalidomide maintenance after either four or six cycles (based on MRD status). The primary study endpoint was the complete response (CR) rate after four cycles of FCR2. Twenty patients were evaluable. After four cycles of FCR2, response rates were: CR, 45.0%; CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi), 5.0%; partial response (PR), 45.0%; and stable disease (SD), 5.0%. BM and PB samples from 27.8% and 52.9% of patients, respectively, were MRD negative. After six cycles, response rates were: CR, 58.3%; CRi, 16.7%; and PR, 25.0%. BM and PB samples from 50.0% and 72.7% of patients, respectively, were MRD negative. Overall, 75% of evaluable patients achieved a CR or CRi following FCR2. After 17.4 months of median follow-up, one progression and one death occurred. Our findings suggest that FCR2 combines encouraging clinical activity with acceptable toxicity in previously untreated CLL. Lenalidomide can be safely added to FCR and may reduce chemotherapy exposure without compromising outcomes. Am. J. Hematol. 90:487–492, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.