• To determine the clinical response rate (combined morphological [NCI WG criteria] and flow cytometry criteria) following treatment with FCM-R in patients with previously untreated CLL. [ Time Frame: March 2009 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• To determine the molecular response rate (PCR for IgH rearrangements) following treatment with FCM-R in patients with previously untreated CLL. [ Time Frame: March 2009 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and mitoxantrone are chemotherapy drugs that are used in the treatment of CLL. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to CLL cells and causes cell death. Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) is a growth factor that helps the bone marrow to produce white cells (neutrophils) and is an approved drug to treat the suppression of marrow function caused by chemotherapy.

Before you can start treatment on this study, you will have what are called "screening tests." These tests will help the doctor decide if you are eligible to take part in the study. You will have a complete physical exam and routine blood tests (about 2 teaspoons). A bone marrow sample will be collected. To collect a bone marrow sample, an area of the hip or chest bone is numbed with anesthetic and a small amount of bone marrow is withdrawn through a large needle. Women who are able to have children must have a negative blood or urine pregnancy test before treatment begins. A heart test ("MUGA scan" or "echocardiogram") is required within at least 3 months before treatment start. This can be done here at MD Anderson or by your own doctor at home.

If you are eligible to take part in the study, you will begin treatment. Rituximab will be given through a needle in your vein (IV) on Day 1 of Courses 1-6. The first infusion may take up to 8 hours. For every dose of rituximab after that, the infusion may take 2-4 hours. The length of the infusion time depends on whether you have any reactions to the infusion. The dose level of rituximab may be increased for Cycles 2-6 as well. The drugs acetaminophen (Tylenol) and diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) will be given before each dose of rituximab. This will be done to decrease the risk of side effects. If side effects do occur during rituximab treatment, the drug may have to be stopped until the side effects go away and then restarted, so your time in the outpatient area may be longer if that occurs.

One day after the first dose of rituximab (Day 2), fludarabine and cyclophosphamide will be given by IV every day for 3 days (Days 2, 3, and 4), and mitoxantrone will be given by IV on Day 2. Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide will be given as 30-minute infusions, while the infusion of mitoxantrone will take 30-60 minutes. After the first treatment cycle, all the drugs will be given on Days 1, 2, and 3 for every cycle after that. Pegfilgrastim will be given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin) once per treatment cycle, right after you receive the last chemotherapy drug (in other words, on Day 4 during the first cycle, and on Day 3 for every cycle after that). Other IV fluids, such as saline, will be given on all of the treatment days to keep you hydrated, which means that each clinic visit will take about 6 hours. The combination will be repeated once every 4 to 6 weeks for a total of 6 courses.

The first treatment will be given at the UTMDACC outpatient clinic. The other 5 courses can be performed either at UTMDACC or at home with your regular physician.

During each treatment cycle, you will have blood samples (about 1 teaspoon each) drawn once every 1-2 weeks. Bone marrow biopsies will be performed at the end of Cycles 3 and 6 of chemotherapy.

With the exception of rituximab, the same doses of all other drugs will be used throughout the study unless side effects become severe. In that case, the dose may be lowered or the treatment may be stopped. You will be taken off study if the disease gets worse.

After Course 6 of chemotherapy is finished, you will have blood tests (about 2 teaspoons each) performed every 6-12 months.

This is an investigational study. The FDA has approved all of the drugs used in this study, and they are commercially available. However, their use in this study and in this combination is considered investigational. Up to 30 patients will take part in the study. All will be enrolled at UTMDACC.