RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fludarabine phosphate, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab and bevacizumab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some block the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Others find cancer cells and help kill them or carry cancer-killing substances to them. Giving fludarabine phosphate together with rituximab and bevacizumab may kill more cancer cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving fludarabine phosphate together with rituximab and bevacizumab works in treating patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia that has relapsed or not responded to treatment.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate PFS at 2 years after FR plus Avastin (A) induction followed by Rituximab plus Avastin (RA) maintenance therapy for relapsed/refractory CLL patients. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate response rates after FR-A induction and RA maintenance therapy. II. To eliminate residual disease (documented by flow cytometry and/or PCR) in patients who have achieved a CR after FR-A. III. To estimate the rate of conversion of PR to CR after FR-A. IV. To determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of FR-A and RA maintenance. OUTLINE: INDUCTION THERAPY: Patients receive fludarabine phosphate IV over 20-30 minutes once daily on days 1-5 and rituximab IV once daily on days 4 or 5. Treatment repeats every 35 days for 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Beginning on day 8 of course 1, patients also receive bevacizumab IV over 30 minutes. Treatment repeats every 21 days for 9 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients achieving complete response, partial response, or nodular partial response proceed to maintenance therapy. MAINTENANCE THERAPY: Beginning 2 months after completion of induction treatment, patients receive rituximab IV every 3 months and bevacizumab IV over 30 minutes every 3 weeks. Treatment continues for 2 years in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and annually thereafter.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Given IV
Given IV
Given IV
Correlative studies
Correlative studies
Correlative studies
Correlative studies
Progression-free survival
Time frame: At 2 years
Response (complete, partial, or nodular partial response, progressive disease, stable disease, or minimal residual disease)
Time frame: At 2 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.