The efficacy of alemtuzumab for refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia in relation to cytogenetic abnormalities of p53.

We reviewed the efficacy of alemtuzumab in the treatment of 28 patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in whom p53 status was known. Overall responses of 53.6% (complete responses 17.9%) were attained with no significant difference between patients with (50%) or without (55%) p53 deletion (p=0.214). We confirm the efficacy of alemtuzumab in refractory CLL irrespective of p53 deletions, and advocate its introduction earlier in disease course.