Use of long-term leukapheresis in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

We used repeated leukapheresis in the long-term management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Twelve patients with far-advanced disease that was refractory to standard forms of therapy, were studied. Six patients completed a predefined course of therapy. Although a single patient responded favorably for a period of time, no other patient was benefited by this treatment. While circulating lymphocyte counts in these patients always could be reduced, generally, this was not associated with improvements in pancytopenia, hypogammagobulinemia, adenopathy, organomegaly, or constitutional symptoms of lethargy, fevers and night sweats. Mean survival was only ten months from onset of therapy. We conclude that long-term leukapheresis is ineffective in the management of far-advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia.