Monoclonal antibodies have activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) through antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. That activity is only modest with the monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan, Biogen Idec, Inc.). Two in vitro studies, however, have supported that granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (Leukine, Berlex) increases CD 20 expression, the target for rituximab therapy. A study presented by Allesandra Ferrajoli, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, tested whether priming CLL patients with GM-CSF before rituximab would be a safe and successful strategy.
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