The frequency, manifestations, and duration of prolonged cytopenias after first-line fludarabine combination chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Fludarabine-based chemoimmunotherapy has well-recognised efficacy and short-term toxicity in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies. However, the presence and significance of prolonged cytopenias after completion of treatment have not been thoroughly quantified. Methods: Sixty-one patients receiving initial therapy with fludarabine-based regimens were categorised according to the presence of post-treatment cytopenias (haemoglobin <110-130 g/l depending on sex and age, neutrophils <2.0×109/l, or platelets <140×109/l) lasting >3 months. Results: Persistent cytopenias unrelated to persistent disease were found in 43% of patients. Cytopenias were associated with clinically important ..