Multi-center Trial of Revlimid® and Rituximab, for First-Line Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with no history of previous treatments with monoclonal antibodies or chemotherapy.
2. Subjects must have an indication for treatment as defined by the NCI Working Group Guidelines
3. Understand and voluntarily sign an informed consent form.
4. Age ≥18 years at the time of signing the informed consent form.
5. Able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements.
6. ECOG performance status of ≤ 2 at study entry (see Appendix A).
7. Laboratory test results within these ranges: Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.0 x 109/L, Platelet count ≥ 50 x 109/L, Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL, Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL, AST \& ALT ≤ 2 x ULN
8. Females of childbearing potential (FCBP)† must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 50 mIU/mL within 10 - 14 days prior to and again within 24 hours of starting lenalidomide and must either commit to continued abstinence from heterosexual intercourse or begin TWO acceptable methods of birth control, one highly effective method and one additional effective method AT THE SAME TIME, at least 28 days before she starts taking lenalidomide. FCBP must also agree to ongoing pregnancy testing. Men must agree to use a latex condom during sexual contact with a FCBP even if they have had a successful vasectomy. All patients must be counseled at a minimum of every 28 days about pregnancy precautions and risks of fetal exposure.
9. Disease free of prior malignancies for ≥ 2 years with exception of currently treated basal cell, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or carcinoma "insitu" of the cervix or breast

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous treatment for CLL with chemotherapy or monoclonal antibodies
2. Known Hepatitis B Ag positive, Hepatitis C positive patients
3. Known HIV positive patients
4. Patients with uncontrolled Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) or autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
5. Inability to provide informed consent.
6. Concurrent malignancy (excluding basal and squamous cell skin cancers).
7. Active fungal, bacterial, and/or viral infection.
8. Any serious medical condition, laboratory abnormality, or psychiatric illness that would prevent the subject from signing the informed consent form.
9. Pregnant or breast-feeding females. (Lactating females must agree not to breast feed while taking lenalidomide).
10. Any condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, which places the subject at unacceptable risk if he/she were to participate in the study or confounds the ability to interpret data from the study.
11. Use of any other experimental drug or therapy within 28 days of baseline.
12. Known hypersensitivity to thalidomide.
13. The development of erythema nodosum if characterized by a desquamating rash while taking thalidomide or similar drugs.
14. Any prior use of lenalidomide.
15. Concurrent use of other anti-cancer agents or treatments.
16. Patients with history of deep venous thrombus or pulmonary embolism. Patients who are at increased risk of thrombosis during treatment with lenalidomide including those taking concurrent erythropoietin, darbepoetin or high-dose corticosteroids are also excluded.
17. Patients with a history of embolic events (e.g. TIA) from arrhythmia or peripheral arterial disease or of recent MI whether or not treated with anti-platelet drugs