| Inclusion Criteria: | 1) Untreated CLL, CLL/PLL, or SLL (small lymphocytic lymphoma) with indication for therapy (Indications for therapy include at least one of the following: i) one or more disease-related symptoms [fever, night sweats, weight loss, pronounced fatigue]; ii) advanced stage disease (Rai stage >/= 3 or Binet stage C); iii) autoimmune anemia and/or thrombocytopenia that is unresponsive to other therapies; iv) massive or progressive hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly and/or lymphadenopathy; iv) recurrent infections; v) rapid lymphocyte doubling time of < 6 months).
2) Age < 70 years.
3) Adequate liver function (total bilirubin </= 2.5 mg/dL, SGPT </=4 x ULN) and renal function (serum creatinine </= 2.0 mg/dL). Patients with renal or liver dysfunction due to suspected organ infiltration by lymphocytes may be eligible after discussion with the Principal Investigator, but upper limits for creatinine even under these circumstances must be creatinine < 3mg/dL and bilirubin < 6 mg/dL. Patients with Gilbert's syndrome may be entered on study with bilirubin levels </= 4 mg/dL.
4) Beta-2-microglobulin </= 4 mg/dL.
5) ECOG performance status </= 2.
6) Signed informed consent in keeping with the policies of the hospital.
7) Male and female patients who are fertile agree to use an effective barrier method of birth control (ie, latex condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, etc) to avoid pregnancy. Female patients of childbearing potential (non-childbearing is defined as >/= 1 year postmenopausal or surgically sterilized) need a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 14 days of study enrollment. |