title: Discontinuation of imatinib in Japanese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.
abstract: It was recently recognized that some chronic myeloid leukemia patients with a complete molecular response could sustain that response after discontinuation of imatinib. To characterize the clinical outcomes and profiles of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients who could discontinue imatinib, we conducted a nationwide survey in Japan. Among 3,242 imatinib-treated chronic myeloid leukemia patients, we identified 50 who had discontinued imatinib for at least six months; of these we analyzed 43. Molecular recurrence was detected in 19 patients, and a complete molecular response rate was estimated to be 47% following imatinib discontinuation. Based on multivariate regression analysis, imatinib dose intensity and prior interferon-α administration were independently predictive of molecular recurrence within 12 months. The depth of the molecular response should be a factor influencing long-term sustained complete molecular response after discontinuation of imatinib. Additionally, an immunological mechanism modified by interferon-α might control chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, Akita University, Akita City, Akita, Japan. naotot@doc.med.akita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Taiichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kyo
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugihara
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usuki
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Usui
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Yokiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohe
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohtake
authors.forename: Kunio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Masahide
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Teshima
authors.forename: Toshiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Motoji
authors.forename: Toshiharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tamaki
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Kazuma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohyashiki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007564:Japan; D015466:Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate