Clinical decisions for chronic myeloid leukemia in the imatinib era.
Imatinib is clearly an important contribution to the management of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Based on the available data, it seems reasonable to conclude that this exciting new agent is the best primary treatment for the newly diagnosed chronic-phase patient who is not immediately eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT). However, the definition of response or failure to respond is not straightforward and the extent to which imatinib prolongs life when used as a single agent cannot yet be estimated with any accuracy. This means that decisions on how best to continue treatment can be extremely difficult. Moreover, the decision whether and when to offer the patient treatment by allo-SCT has become especially complicated in the last 2 years. Imatinib seems to be generally less effective when used to treat patients in advanced phases of CML, although some patients treated in accelerated phase may achieve prolonged disease control. It is likely that the role of imatinib, used alone or in combination with other agents, will be more clearly defined in the near future.
Goldman
John M
JM
Department of Haematology, Imperial College London at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Marin
David
D
Olavarria
Eduardo
E
Apperley
Jane F
JF
D001549:Benzamides; D003657:Decision Making; D019468:Disease Management; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate