Fludarabine monotherapy for the first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

The Committee recommended using data from all clinical trials comparing fludarabine monotherapy, fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil to provide definitive information on treatment effects including retreatment response rates, overall survival outcomes, incidence and severity of adverse events.

The Committee recommended further research to identify prognostic markers that would allow better characterisation of subgroups of patients who would benefit the most from fludarabine-containing regimens.