Impact of age and comorbidities on the efficacy of FC and FCR regimens in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

CLL is an aging-associated neoplasm with median age at diagnosis >65years. Little is known about safety and efficacy of FC/FCR regimens in elderly CLL patients with multiple comorbidities. We retrospectively revised medical records of 90 patients treated with FC/FCR regimens in our clinic. Data on demographic and biological characteristics, comorbidities, response to therapy, and treatment-associated adverse events were analyzed. Compared to FC, FCR yielded higher rates of OR (93.6 vs. 81.4%, p=.109) and CR (72.3 vs. 46.5%, p=.018). This translated in longer EFS (median 52 vs. 19months, p=<.001) and OS (median 89 vs. 45months, p=.001). Elderly patients (65 years) had more comorbidities and higher median CIRS-G score (7 vs. 4, p<.001). However, no association was found between CIRS-G score and survival. Decreased renal function was associated with dismal prognosis in patients treated with FCR.