Bortezomib in relapsed multiple myeloma: results of a non-interventional study by office-based haematologists.

Background: In Germany, bortezomib is approved for the therapy of relapsed multiple myeloma since 2004. The data which had led to the approval were based on strictly selected patients. However, no data had been recorded on bortezomib in routine practice.

Phase 2 study of a combined immunochemotherapy using rituximab and fludarabine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

This multicenter phase 2 trial investigated safety and efficacy of a new immunochemotherapeutic regimen combining rituximab (R) and fludarabine (F) in patients with fludarabine- and anthracycline-naive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The rationale for using R + F includes single-agent efficacy of both drugs, in vitro synergism of R and F, and no apparent overlapping toxicity. Of 31 eligible patients with B-CLL enrolled, 20 were previously untreated and 11 relapsed.