Battle of Thermopylae: 300 Spartans (natural killer cells plus obinutuzumab) versus the immortal warriors (chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells) of Xerxes' army.

Aim: To analyze the effects of subcutaneous or intravenous rituximab + lymphokine-activated killer cells, obinutuzumab or ibrutinib on natural killer (NK) cell levels in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and follicular lymphoma patients.

Patients & Methods: The distribution of peripheral blood NK cells of 31 patients was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results: We detected a decrease of NK cells in peripheral blood below normal range after obinutuzumab treatment.