Investigators at university of rome release new data on leukemia therapy

Scientists discuss in 'Imatinib mesylate therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia patients in stable complete cytogenic response after interferon-alpha results in a very high complete molecular response rate' new findings in leukemia. According to recent research published in the journal Leukemia Research, To determine the impact on minimal residual disease by switching to imatinib chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP-CML) patients responsive to interferon-alpha (IFNalpha), in stable complete cytogenetic response (CCR) but with persistent PCR positivity. Twenty-six Philadelphia positive (Ph+) CML patients in stable CCR after IFNalpha but persistently positive at PCR analysis during this treatment, were given imatinib mesylate at standard dose.

At enrolment into the study, median IFN treatment and CCR duration were 88 months (range 15-202) and 73 months (range 10-148), respectively. Imatinib treatment resulted in a progressive and consistent decline of the residual disease as measured by quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) in all but one of the 26 patients; at the end of follow-up, after a median of 32 months (range 21-49) of treatment, a major molecular response (BCR/ABL levels <0.1) was reached in 20 patients (77%), and BCR/ABL transcripts were undetectable in 13 (50%). The achievement of molecular response was significantly correlated with post-IFN baseline transcript level (mean 1.194 for patients achieving complete molecular response versus 18.97 for those who did not; p<0.001), but not with other clinical/biological disease characteristics, wrote G. Alimena and colleagues, University of Rome (see also ).

The researchers concluded These results indicate that patients induced into CCR by IFN treatment represent a subset with very favourable prognosis, which can significantly improve molecular response with imatinib and further support investigative treatment schedules combining these two drugs.

Alimena and colleagues published their study in Leukemia Research (Imatinib mesylate therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia patients in stable complete cytogenic response after interferon-alpha results in a very high complete molecular response rate. Leukemia Research, 2008;32(2) 255-61).

For additional information, contact G. Alimena, University La Sapienza, Dept. of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Rome, Italy.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Leukemia Research is Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.

Copyright © 2008 Drug Week via NewsRx.com

Published on Friday, April 25, 2008

0 comments