title: Imatinib mesylate in chronic myeloid leukemia: frontline treatment and long-term outcomes.
abstract: The tyrosine kinase inhibitor Imatinib Mesylate has dramatically improved the clinical outcome of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in the chronic phase of the disease, generating unprecedented rates of complete hematologic and cytogenetic responses and sustained reductions in BCR-ABL transcripts. Here, we present an overview on the efficacy and safety of Imatinib and describe the most important clinical studies employing this drug for the frontline treatment of chronic phase CML. We also discuss recent reports describing the long-term outcome of patients receiving Imatinib for their disease. The imminent availability of generic forms of Imatinib coupled with the approval of expensive second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors underlines an unmet need for early molecular parameters that may distinguish CML patients likely to benefit from the drug from those that should receive alternative forms of treatment.
authors: a Division of Hematology - A.O.U. 'Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele' , Catania , Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Stagno
authors: b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Stella
authors: b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Spitaleri
authors: b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors: Maria Stella
authors: MS
authors: Pennisi
authors: a Division of Hematology - A.O.U. 'Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele' , Catania , Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Di Raimondo
authors: b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Vigneri
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015466:Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: BCR-ABL; CML therapy; Chronic myeloid leukemia; Imatinib Mesylate; tyrosine kinase inhibitors; unmet medical needs