In what situations would Chlorambucil still be used?

[johnl]

I've just heard of a patient is the U S a a major hospital, with good insurance being started on chlorambucil to treat CLL. I know he has kidney issues from the CLL. I'm just wondering why they wouldn't use one of the newer drugs?

john

[AussieNeil Administrator]

Chlorambucil is approved with Obinutuzumab/Gazyva by the FDA for the treatment of CLL, but sometimes the Chlorambucil is omitted, because it's not thought to do much in comparison to the Gazyva. Given the patient is in the USA, they could ask for a free second opinion via the CLL Society's Expert Access program. Perhaps it was thought that his kidneys weren't up to the newer drugs, but his doctors should have informed him that this was the case. Unfortunately, it's not unusual for CLL patients in the USA to be given inappropriate treatments - hence the CLL society's Test before Treat campaign.

See cllsociety.org

Neil

[Panz]

I personally used Chlorambucil on and off for 17 years and it was great. I since have used Imbruvica 420 for 6 months when they pulled me off due to having two types of pneumonia at the same time in both lungs and have been told that I would not be put back on the Imbruvica as they felt it was a side effect my developing two types of pneumonia at the same time. That was last July and my counts are all holding so I am back on Watch and Wait. If I couldn’t work out the financing for any of the new things I wouldn’t hesitate to ask to go back on the Chorambucil at any time. I am aware that you may build up a resistance over time but I have been off it long enough my body most likely has forgotten I have taken it. It worked beautifully for my and I would only be on it for a couple of months and then off for nearly 2-3 years at a time.

I have had CLL for 31+ years and doing great! I wish your friend the very best....he is lucky to have a friend such as yourself who cares enough to follow thru on his behalf.

Panz 🙏💕☘️