title: Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: impact of imatinib treatment on remission induction and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been associated with the worst patient survival rates of the various acute leukemias. Imatinib mesylate is a novel therapeutic agent that targets the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, the molecular abnormality associated with Ph+ ALL. The combination of imatinib with chemotherapy has led to improved and durable treatment responses in adult patients with Ph+ ALL, including the elderly population. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has also integrated imatinib into its transplant strategies, with early data suggesting improved progression-free survival without clearly identifiable augmented toxicity. Second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors offer potentially even greater improvements on these excellent imatinib-associated outcomes. This review addresses the evolution of the management of Ph+ ALL and is intended to assist in the description of its new natural history.
authors.forename: Tibor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kovacsovics
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Maziarz
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate