Relapsed and Refractory

Relapsed CLL is the term for disease that returns after it has been in remission for more than six months. 

Refractory disease is the term for CLL that does not result in remission after initial therapy. 

Many patients with refractory disease can achieve a remission with different treatments, and many patients with relapsed disease can obtain another period of remission with additional treatment. This approach can control CLL for many years. Often people with CLL will require several lines of treatment in their lifetime, and they often have a good quality of life for years after receiving additional treatment. 

Before starting treatment, it is important to have another FISH test to see if there are any changes to the genes and/or chromosomes of the CLL cells. This can help your doctor determine the next therapy. New mutations can develop over time or as a result of past treatments. 

Drug therapies and treatments that can be used to treat relapsed or refractory CLL include: 

  • Acalabrutinib 
  • Bendamustine with rituximab 
  • Duvelisib 
  • FCR (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab) 
  • Ibrutinib 
  • Idelalisib, alone or in combination with rituximab 
  • High-dose methylprednisolone with rituximab or obinutuzumab 
  • Lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi®) 
  • Obinutuzumab 
  • Venetoclax, alone or with obinutuzumab or rituximab 
  • Zanubrutinib 
  • Allogeneic stem cell transplantation
  • Clinical trials 
For information about the drugs listed on this page, visit Drug Listings.


Related Links