Bendamustine in combination with rituximab for elderly patients with previously untreated B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A retrospective analysis of real-life practice in Italian hematology departments

Forty-seven males and 23 females, with a median age of 72 years, were included in the study. Eight patients were unfit for CIRS. The OR rate was 88.6% (31.4% CR and 57.2% PR). Progression free survival, treatment free survival and overall survival rates at 2-years were 79%, 90.3% and 89.6%, respectively. Only del17 was independent unfavorable parameter on the response rate and PFS. Our results indicate that BR front-line at standard dose provides a high response rate with a good safety profile, even if more than 50% of patients experienced a bendamustine dose reduction until 70 mg/m2.