title: Sustained cytogenetic response after discontinuation of imatinib mesylate in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia.
abstract: A 58-yr-old woman was diagnosed with Ph(+) chronic myeloid leukaemia in May 2001. She was initially treated with hydroxyurea and subsequently with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). Imatinib mesylate was started in April 2002 after failure of IFN-alpha to induce a cytogenetic response. The patient remained on treatment with imatinib mesylate for 3 months during which she suffered daily fever resulting in discontinuation of the treatment. Response evaluation performed shortly after discontinuing imatinib mesylate revealed a complete cytogenetic remission and a substantial molecular response. Fifteen months later, she was still enjoying a major cytogenetic response. This case illustrates that a short course of imatinib mesylate may result in a sustained haematological and cytogenetic response.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Section of Haematology, Østfold Hospital, Fredrikstad, Fredrikstad, Norway. wghanima@c2i.net
authors.forename: Waleed
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ghanima
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kahrs
authors.forename: Tobias Gedde
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: Geir E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Tjonnfjord
mesh_terms: D001549:Benzamides; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate