BERLEX PUBLISHES LEUKEMIA STUDY RESULTS

According to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, combination therapy with Berlex Laboratories' MabCampath (alemtuzumab) and Fludara (fludarabine phosphate) is effective in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) who had failed prior intervention, with an overall response rate of 83 percent. The newly developed FluCam combination regimen is well-tolerated and feasible. Based on these promising results, a prospective, randomized, Phase III trial has been initiated comparing FluCam to single agent fludarabine, as second-line therapy for patients with B-CLL.

A total of 36 patients were treated in this Phase II study. Eleven patients achieved a complete response, and 19 patients achieved a partial response. The median overall survival time for all patients was 35.6 months.