This protocol addresses patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia classified as Binet stage A or B in the absence of active disease, or equivalently Rai stage 0, I or II without active disease — a distinct clinical group in which disease burden is present but current activity does not require immediate intervention.
The patient has chronic lymphocytic leukaemia at Binet stage A or B without active disease, or Rai stage 0, I or II without active disease. In this setting the key consideration is whether any treatment is warranted at all.
For early-stage, asymptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, the approach involves deliberate deferral of anti-leukaemic treatment — a structured, evidence-based strategy rather than passive inaction.