title: Achievement of complete molecular responses in late chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with pulsed imatinib while in minimal residual disease.
abstract: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients in chronic phase (CP) are currently treated with a standard dose of imatinib of 400mg/daily. However, once in complete cytogenetic remission (CCR) it is possible that some patients maintain this status with reduced dose of the drug. Here, we describe five cases of CML in late CP, which were switched to imatinib while in CCR after interferon alpha (IFN alpha) and reached complete and stable molecular remission with intermittent drug administration at 400mg/every 20 days/month.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. breccia@bce.uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breccia
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cannella
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanizzi
authors.forename: Michelina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santopietro
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Cuia
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diverio
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alimena
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate