Trial results of a new combination therapy for myeloid leukaemia.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a condition that affects around 600 people a year in the UK. The only curative intervention to date has been bone-marrow transplantation. A combined drug therapy featuring interferon and a new drug called imatinib has shown encouraging results in recent trials. In one trial of 532 patients, 60% achieved a major cytogenetic response, while in 41% no leukaemia could be detected using normal cytogenetic techniques. This article provides background on the nature of chronic myeloid leukaemia, and discusses the imatinib trial results and indications for future treatments.
Leach
Sue
S
Department of Haematology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Richardson
Carol
C
Vowles
Julie K
JK
Charlton
Lindsey
L
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007372:Interferons