Prof Kanti Rai discusses advances that have been made in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Key research presented at this years ASH congress has demonstrated that previously untreated patients who do not want or are unsuitable for chemotherapy can be successfully treated with a combination of rituximab and lenalidomide. In addition to this a number of studies have been presented which have confirmed FCR (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab) as the most effective frontline treatment for CLL and there have also been positive results for new tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat patients who do not respond to FCR. Prof Rai also explains how the low toxicity levels of bendamustine makes it particularly suitable to treat elderly CLL patients, discusses the use of lenalidomide, elotuzumab or rituximab as maintenance treatment to help patients avoid further chemotherapy, speaks about the movement towards personalised medicines for CLL and looks ahead to the IWCLL (International Workshop on CLL) congress to be held in Texas on 28-30 October 2011.