title: Management decisions in chronic myeloid leukemia.
abstract: Until recently, interferon-alfa or interferon plus cytarabine was considered the best initial treatment for newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients not eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The remarkably rapid and apparently durable control of hematologic features and the high rate of cytogenetic response achieved with imatinib used as a single agent suggest that this drug could prolong life substantially. However, response to the drug is variable between patients and here criteria are tentatively suggested for defining response and nonresponse or response failure. It is likely that patients who fail to respond to imatinib may benefit from alternative therapy initiated as early as possible. The issue of whether to offer allogeneic stem cell transplant to any newly diagnosed patient is addressed and a possible strategy is suggested. Undoubtedly, the suggestions made here will require revision as we acquire further information on the utility of imatinib.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marin
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D001752:Blast Crisis / Q000628:therapy; D003657:Decision Making; D019468:Disease Management; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000628:therapy*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate