Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab Followed By Vaccine Therapy in Treating Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some block the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Others find cancer cells and help kill them or carry cancer-killing substances to them. Vaccines may help the body build an effective immune response to kill cancer cells. Giving cyclophosphamide and rituximab together with vaccine therapy may kill more cancer cells. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying cyclophosphamide and rituximab followed by two different schedules of vaccine therapy to compare how well they work in treating patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Timeline

Start

2006-08

Primary completion

2007-05

Completion

2007-05

Drugs

Indications