Front-line treatment of Philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib and interferon-alpha: 5-year outcome.
In 2004, we reported the short-term results of a multicentric, phase 2 study of imatinib 400 mg daily and pegylated interferon-alpha in the treatment of 76 early chronic phase Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients. In this report, we update the results with an observation time of five years. After two years of treatment, all but 10 patients (13%) had discontinued pegylated interferon-alpha. The complete cytogenetic response rate at five years was 87%, and 94% of complete cytogenetic responders maintained the complete cytogenetic response after five years. All but one complete cytogenetic response also achieved a major molecular response. These data confirm the excellent response to imatinib front-line and the stability of the complete cytogenetic response. Any possible additional benefit of the combination with interferon-alpha remains uncertain, due to low patient compliance.
Palandri
Francesca
F
Department of Hematology and Oncology "L. and A. Seràgnoli", St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. francesca.palandri@libero.it.
Iacobucci
Ilaria
I
Castagnetti
Fausto
F
Testoni
Nicoletta
N
Poerio
Angela
A
Amabile
Marilina
M
Breccia
Massimo
M
Intermesoli
Tamara
T
Iuliano
Francesco
F
Rege-Cambrin
Giovanna
G
Tiribelli
Mario
M
Miglino
Maurizio
M
Pane
Fabrizio
F
Saglio
Giuseppe
G
Martinelli
Giovanni
G
Rosti
Gianantonio
G
Baccarani
Michele
M
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003582:Cytogenetics / Q000379:methods; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001549:Benzamides; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate