Achievement of complete molecular responses in late chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with pulsed imatinib while in minimal residual disease

Leuk Res. 2009 May;33(5):645-8. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2008.10.024. Epub 2008 Dec 4.

Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients in chronic phase (CP) are currently treated with a standard dose of imatinib of 400mg/daily. However, once in complete cytogenetic remission (CCR) it is possible that some patients maintain this status with reduced dose of the drug. Here, we describe five cases of CML in late CP, which were switched to imatinib while in CCR after interferon alpha (IFN alpha) and reached complete and stable molecular remission with intermittent drug administration at 400mg/every 20 days/month.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzamides
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm, Residual
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrimidines / administration & dosage
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Remission Induction*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Imatinib Mesylate