Overview
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, often called CLL or B-CLL, is a type of blood cancer that starts in white blood cells called B-lymphocytes (or B-cells). These are cells that normally help your body fight infections. In CLL, abnormal B-cells grow out of control and build up in the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Unlike some cancers that grow very fast, CLL usually develops slowly over many years. It is the most common type of leukemia in adults in Western countries. Because CLL grows slowly, many people have no symptoms at first and are diagnosed through a routine blood test. Over time, the buildup of abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to problems like fatigue, frequent infections, and swollen lymph nodes. The spleen and liver may also become enlarged. Treatment has improved greatly in recent years. Many people with early-stage CLL are simply monitored with regular check-ups, a strategy called 'watch and wait.' When treatment is needed, doctors now have powerful targeted drugs — such as ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab — that work much better than older chemotherapy. While CLL is generally not curable with standard treatments, many people live for decades with good quality of life. Stem cell transplant offers a potential cure for some patients.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin (usually painless)Feeling very tired or weakFrequent or hard-to-treat infectionsNight sweatsUnintentional weight lossFever without a clear causeEnlarged spleen causing discomfort or fullness in the bellyEnlarged liverEasy bruising or bleedingPale skin due to low red blood cell counts (anemia)Shortness of breathFeeling full quickly when eating
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsThe Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland — PHASE1
SWOG Cancer Research Network — PHASE3
University of Salamanca — NA
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) — EARLY_PHASE1
Henan Cancer Hospital — PHASE2
City of Hope Medical Center — PHASE1
AstraZeneca — PHASE2
Paolo Caimi, MD — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
13 availableCampath
CAMPATH is indicated as a single agent for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL)
CALQUENCE
For the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
ARZERRA
for the treatment of patients with CLL refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab
COPIKTRA
indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) after at least two prior lines of systemic therapy
Fludara
The treatment of adult patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have not responded to or whose disease has progressed during treatment with at least one standard alkylating-agent co…
The treatment of adult patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have not responded to or whose disease has progressed during treatment with at least one standard alkylating-agent containing regimen.
Acetylcysteine
adjuvant therapy for patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated mucous secretions in chronic emphysema
GAZYVA
in combination with chlorambucil, for the treatment of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Bendeka
BENDEKA injection is an alkylating drug indicated for treatment of patients with Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Efficacy relative to first line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been esta…
BENDEKA injection is an alkylating drug indicated for treatment of patients with Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Efficacy relative to first line therapies other than chlorambucil has not been established.
BRUKINSA
BRUKINSA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
VENCLEXTA
For the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
IMBRUVICA
IMBRUVICA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
Rituxan
Previously untreated and previously treated CLL in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC)
Treanda
TREANDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersWashington University School of Medicine
📍 St Louis, Missouri
👤 Meagan A Jacoby, M.D., Ph.D.
👤 Janssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
📍 Rochester, Minnesota
Stanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
Financial Resources
8 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
1 articlesCaregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my CLL, and what do my chromosome and gene test results mean for my outlook?,Do I need to start treatment now, or is 'watch and wait' appropriate for me?,Which treatment would you recommend for me, and why — and what are the main side effects?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what happens if it stops working?,Are there clinical trials I should consider?,What vaccines do I need, and are there any I should avoid?,Should my family members be tested or monitored for CLL?
Common questions about B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
What is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, often called CLL or B-CLL, is a type of blood cancer that starts in white blood cells called B-lymphocytes (or B-cells). These are cells that normally help your body fight infections. In CLL, abnormal B-cells grow out of control and build up in the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Unlike some cancers that grow very fast, CLL usually develops slowly over many years. It is the most common type of leukemia in adults in Western countries. Because CLL grows slowly, many people have no symptoms at first and are diagnosed through a routine blood test. Over ti
How is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia inherited?
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia typically begin?
Typical onset of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
25 specialists and care centers treating B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
8 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.