Imatinib (IM) Treatment In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Clinical Practice Limitations

CML represents 15% all of oncohematologic diseases in adults. IM changed the history of the disease. At one year of treatment, the emblematic IRIS study showed Major Cytogenetic Responses (MCyR) of approximately 87% and Complete Cytogenetic Responses (CCyR) of around 76%, with PFS to accelerated phase or blast crisis of 97.7% and 91.5%, respectively.

To assess treatment characteristics and responses in a group of patients treated with IM in clinical practice.

113 medical records of patients with CML diagnosed between 1998–2011 from two institutions in the Argentine Republic were retrospectively analyzed.

Mean population age was 46 years old (r 18–73) 65 male, 48 female. 97% in chronic phase, the rest in accelerated phase. 31% presented comorbidities at diagnosis. Cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis, in addition to the classic t(9:22), included: trisomy 8 and double Philadelphia chromosome in 4 tests. Only 7 patients had qualitative BCR/ABL determined at diagnosis. 25% had received interferon, patients received IM 400 mg and only 2% received 300 or 600 mg doses. 2.6% of patients did not achieve CHR. Cytogenetic responses assessed at any time of treatment were: Major: 12%, Minor 20%, Complete 51%, None 3%, 14% were not assessed. With a mean follow-up time of 46 months, the overall survival was 75%. 10% of patients progressed to BC/AP, 11 % of patients died due to disease-related causes or comorbidities.

With a mean follow-up time of 46 months for chronic phase CML, treatment with IM achieved complete cytogenetic responses in 51% of patients, and progression occurred in 10% of patients.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.