Multicenter Phase II Study with Weekly Bendamustine and Paclitaxel as First- or Later-Line Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: RiTa II Trial.

The combination of bendamustine (B) and paclitaxel (P) as anthracycline-free treatment option in patients with advanced breast cancer has been evaluated in the previous RiTa I trial. The regimen of weekly B 70 mg/m(2) and P 90 mg/m(2) with a pause every 4th week was established as an effective regimen with low toxicity. The aim of the present RiTa II study was to investigate the potential of BP as anthracycline-free combination therapy.

Toward a comprehensive prognostic scoring system in chronic lymphocytic leukemia based on a combination of genetic parameters.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease with a variable clinical course. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a combination of genetic parameters can improve prediction of outcome irrespective of clinical stage. The prognostic impact of chromosome banding analysis (CBA) in addition to FISH and IgVH mutation status was evaluated.