High-dose Methylprednisolone and Rituximab in High Risk B-CLL

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The diagnosis of CD20 positive chronic B lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) confirmed by biopsy or flow-cytometry.
2. Relapsed or progressive disease after at least 1 prior chemotherapy.
3. Stage Rai I-IV and progressive disease (according to NCI criteria). NCI progressive disease criteria16

Active B-CLL is defined by at least one of the following:

At least one of the disease related symptoms:

1. Constitutional symptoms:

   * Weight loss more 10 percent within the previous 6 months;
   * Fatigue (e. g. WHO performance status 2 or more);
   * Fever 38C or more 2 weeks or more without evidence of infection;
   * Night sweats without evidence of infection.
2. Evidence of progressive marrow failure as manifested by:

   * anemia (less 110 g/l) and / or
   * thrombocytopenia (less 100 x 109/l) within the previous 6 months and / or
   * neutropenia (less 1 x 109/l) within the previous 6 months.
3. Autoimmune hemolysis and / or thrombocytopenia poorly responsive to corticosteroid therapy.
4. Massive (i. e.6 cm or more bellow left costal margin) or progressive splenomegaly with progressive increase on 2 consecutive visits at least 2 weeks apart.
5. Massive lymphadenopathy or conglomerates (i.e., 10 cm or more in largest diameter) or progressive lymphadenopathy with increase on 2 consecutive visits at least 2 weeks apart.
6. Progressive lymphocytosis with an increase more 50 percent over a 2-month period or an anticipated doubling time of less than 6 months.

Marked hypogammaglobulinemia or the development of a monoclonal protein in the absence of any of the above criteria for active disease is not sufficient for protocol therapy

1\. High-risk B-CLL biologically or clinically:

* Biologically high-risk B-CLL is defined by the presence of at least one of the following factors:
* 98 percent or more lgVH genes are homologous to the embryonic sequence and / or
* 17p del confirmed by FISH or
* 11q del confirmed by FISH or
* 12 trisomy.
* Clinically high-risk B-CLL is defined by the presence of at least one of the following factors:

  * Progressive or stable disease while on Fludarabine treatment.
  * Relapse after Fludarabine treatment within 12 months.
  * Older than 18 years.
  * Signed informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Intolerance to exogenous protein or known severe reaction to the administration of Rituximab.
2. Active infection.
3. Cancer radiotherapy, biological therapy or chemotherapy within 3 weeks prior to Study Day 1.
4. TBC or fungal infection within the past 6 months even if adequately controlled by treatment.
5. Severe organ deficiency preventing the participation in the study.
6. Major surgery, other than diagnostic surgery, within 4 weeks prior to Study Day 1.
7. Severe liver disease (total bilirubin or transaminases more 3 times ULN), except caused by the B-CLL.
8. Active peptic ulcer.
9. Inadequately controlled diabetes mellitus.
10. Suspected or confirmed B-CLL CNS disease.
11. Known to be HIV positive.
12. Difficult to control, uncooperative patients.
13. Allergic disorders in need of chronic glucocorticoid therapy.
14. Other oncological diseases requiring active treatment (except hormonal therapy).
15. Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
16. Patients of reproductive potential who are not using effective methods of contraception.