Leukeran

[Robbob71]

Hi to all

Does anyone have any info or history on the use of leukeran to combat CLL , it would be nice to know if it is effective , how long you have to take it for ect ect.

Regards Robbob

[Jm954 Administrator]

Leukeran or Chlorambucil is a very old CLL drug, taken as a tablet and used successfully for decades to control CLL. Usually, it's given for 7 days every 28 days for a maximum of a year. Re-treatment with chlorambucil was common until some years ago and many patients were on and off it, some for decades. These days it's commonly given with an antiCD20 such as Obintuzumab.

Hope this helps

Jackie

[Deta1961 in reply to Jm954]

I took Leukeran a long time ago... now on Ibrutinib for 18 months

[PAgrandmom in reply to Jm954]

Over a 3+ year time period - Early I was on Leukeran for about three months until it made me sick. Then two more drugs that did not work. I am now on Ibrutnib and doing well for the past 18 months. From what I understand the insurance companies insist th the doctors start with the cheaper drugs first. The retail on Ibrutnib is $110,000 but with a grant from the PAN Foundation between the insurance company and the grant I have no out of pocket cost. I went through 3 different drugs until I got to Ibrutnib. Be well.

[Name-1]

I had Leukeran (Chlorambucil) allone 4 months with progression lymph nodes.After I had Rituximab+Chlorambucil 6 cycles and 6 cycles omly Chl.PR.

[Davemich]

I was on Luekeran and Obintuzumab last year and unfortunately it did not shrink my nodes - they didn’t get bigger but they didn’t get smaller either. I am now on 1 Acalibruitnib and I am showing response from my latest CT Scan. I have numerous other health issues, Crohn’s disease and short bowel thus why I am only taking 1 Acalibruitnib.

[cajunjeff]

While Leukeran (chlorambucil) has worked for a number of people with Cll, it rarely is the first treatment of choice anymore. It has been recently used, with some criticism, as a comparator drug in clinical trials. Some doctors view using chlorambucil as a comparator drug as stacking the deck in favor of the drug chlorambucil is being compared against, because most all of the current chemo treatments and novel drugs will beat chlorambucil in a head to head match.

That said, everyone with Cll is so different and the drug that works for one person might not work for another. It’s an alkylating agent derived from mustard gas and damages the dna of cancer cells causing them to die. Cyclophosphamide, the “C” in FCR and Bendustamine, the “B” in BR, are the more commonly used alkylating agents in Cll these days, but now and then you still hear of doctors using chlorambucil, maybe it’s gentler, I don’t know.

[mrsjsmith]

I was on Chlorambucil continually for 7 months back in 2007 when there was little choice. I had very quick and positive results and only started on my second treatment ( Ibrutinib ) last year. I had no side effects, and to be honest I didn’t even know I was taking it.

[Panz]

As Scott said I have used Leukeran for a very long time....a total of 27 years. Back when I first started Leukeran in 1992 it was the only oral option available.

During those 27 years I was on Leukeran for 10 different sessions. Each session I took one 2mg. each day until the WBC was back into the range they wanted it to be. It worked great for me. Each session would last just a tad longer then the previous session. The first session lasted just two months. The 10th session lasted two months and 20 days and that was in 2017. There was usually two years + between sessions. I was ready in January of this year to go back to Leukeran but was told by my doctors that they would like me to give Imbruvica a try and so I did and it is closing in on 6 months.

I knew a lady who lived in the same town as I did that took Leukeran for several years...they in time upped the dose to 4mg. daily. I was told that that was the normal pattern that each session would go a tad longer and in time the dose might increase. This lady remained on that dose indefinitely.

I took the Leukeran at bed time to avoid any issues as they had directed my and I never had any issue I was aware of and I worked full time 50-60 hour weeks and never an issue. I was told to drink a lot of water much like with the Imbruvica 420 I take now.

Any questions??? Please just ask.

🙏💕😍☘️

[J_88 in reply to Panz]

Does Leukeran only work for some people Panz? or does it usually work good for most people will CLL?

[Name-1 in reply to J_88]

Leukeran alone was not for me.

[J_88]

How long does it usually work for?

[Panz in reply to J_88]

I am unable to say really. They told me that with each session it would take a tad longer to bring the WBC down and it did. They also told me that the effectiveness would decline, however, it wasn’t an issue with me. To be totally honest with you....if I had not been offered a grant on the copay after what my insurance would cover, I would have ask to be put back on Leukeran as I was totally happy with it for the 27 years. I didn’t mind giving one of the new targeting drugs a try but I am NOT willing to put my family in debt for my medication. My insurance totally covered the Leukeran....not so the Imbruvica. My copay on the Imbruvica was going to be $2,700-$3,200 per month. So with the grant I decided to give the Imbruvica a try...so far all is well. I have the grant for one year and then I will have to see what happens. This hasn’t been much help for you and I feel badly I don’t really have the answers to the questions you asked.

🙏😍💕☘️

[Panz]

Are you thinking about taking Leukeran?

🙏😍💕☘️

[J_88 in reply to Panz]

No i'm still on W&W just want to see all the options for the future if i need treatment. I think it's amazing you have had CLL for 30 years I hope i can have it for just as long like you.

[Panz in reply to J_88]

I am very happy you are on Watch and Weight...That is the best for everyone, however, all of us being different that isn’t the case for some. You are so smart to be out there doing your own research. Please keep in touch! All the very best to you!!! You are in a very good position as there are just so many great things out there now so I think the longer you can stall treatment the better it will be you and will have many more front line treatments!!! Keep the faith!

🙏😍💕☘️

[J_88]

Panz you don't know your deletions either right?

[bayside64]

My brother was treated on and off for several years with leukeran for CLL. I also have CLL: watch and wait.