Achievement of complete molecular responses in late chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with pulsed imatinib while in minimal residual disease.
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.
Breccia
Massimo
M
Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. breccia@bce.uniroma1.it
Cannella
Laura
L
Stefanizzi
Caterina
C
Santopietro
Michelina
M
De Cuia
Rosa
R
Diverio
Daniela
D
Alimena
Giuliana
G
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
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate