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CLL Approved Medications

In science and medicine, information is constantly changing and may become out-of-date as new data emerge. All articles and interviews are informational only, should never be considered medical advice, and should never be acted on without review with your health care team.

Below a list of medications that have approved indications for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. An important fact to know is that if a medication is approved by the FDA for any indication, your physician can prescribe it to treat your CLL. Don’t hesitate to discuss treatment options with your hematologist/oncologist or healthcare team. Please note, that while the below was accurate at the time of publication, drug indications and approvals are constantly changing. Comments are added in italics


Arzerra (ofatumumab)

ARZERRA (ofatumumab) is a CD20-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in combination with chlorambucil, for the treatment of previously untreated patients with CLL for whom fludarabine-based therapy is considered inappropriate; in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for the treatment of patients with relapsed CLL; for extended treatment of patients who are in complete or partial response after at least two lines of therapy for recurrent or progressive CLL; for the treatment of patients with CLL refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab. (It is almost never used to treat CLL.)


Bendeka (bendamustine hydrochloride)

BENDEKA (bendamustine hydrochloride) is an alkylating drug indicated for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Efficacy relative to first line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been established. (It is usually combined with rituximab.)


Calquence (acalabrutinib)

CALQUENCE (acalabrutinib) is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).


Campath (alemtuzumab)

CAMPATH (alemtuzumab) is a CD52-directed cytolytic antibody indicated as a single agent for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. (It is rarely used to treat CLL.)


Copiktra (duvelisib)

COPIKTRA a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) after 2 other lines of therapy.


Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)

CYTOXAN (cyclophosphamide) is an alkylating drug (chemotherapy) indicated for treatment of many malignant diseases, including CLL.


Fludara (fludarabine)

FLUDARA I(fludarabine)s an anti-metabolite (purine analog type of chemotherapy) and is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have not responded or whose disease has progressed during treatment with at least one standard alkylating-agent containing regimen.

The safety and effectiveness of FLUDARA FOR INJECTION in previously untreated or non-refractory patients with CLL have not been established. (Fludarabine is usually used in combination with cyclophosphamide and rituximab or FCR.)


Gazyva (obinutuzumab)

GAZYVA (obinutuzumab) is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody and is indicated in combination with chlorambucil, for the treatment of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia.


Imbruvica (ibrutinib)

IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).


Leukeran (chlorambucil)

LEUKERAN (chlorambucil) is indicated in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). (It is rarely used in the USA.)


Rituxan (rituximab)

Rituxan® (rituximab) is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).


Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human)

RITUXAN HYCELA is a combination of rituximab, a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody, and hyaluronidase human, an endoglycosidase, indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated and previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC).


Treanda (bendamustine)

TREANDA (bendamustine) is an alkylating drug indicated for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Efficacy relative to first-line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been established. (It is usually combined with rituximab.)


Venclexta (venetoclax)

VENCLEXTA (venetoclax)is a BCL-2 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). (It is often combined with rituximab or obinutuzumab.)


Zydelig (idelalisib)

Zydelig (idelalisib) is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in combination with rituximab, in patients for whom rituximab alone would be considered appropriate therapy due to co-morbidities; relapsed small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in patients who have received at least two prior therapies.