Giving treatments one at a time yields best reported results yet in CLL chronic leukemia 90% of patients remain completely free of leukemia after 5 years most impressive results reported yet in previously difficult-to-treat disease.

Mayo Clinic researchers have published a paper outlining a risk-adapted strategy to treating CLL. This is the first trial asking whether some patients with the disease are better served by taking chemotherapy soon after diagnosis or waiting. CLL is an abbreviation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. This illness is characterized by an overproduction of white blood cells known as lymphocytes. The disease probably starts out as an abnormal activation of the immune system by some stimulus probably infectious agents.

Circulating leukemia cells found in normal patients Risk of progression to clinical leukemia low overall

Long term results: FCR very effective initial therapy for CLL Median survival more than six years