High-dose imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: High rates of rapid cytogenetic and molecular responses

Authors

Jorge E. Cortes, The University of Texas, USA
Hagop M. Kantarjian, The University of Texas, USA
Hagop M. Kantarjian, The University of Texas, USA
Stuart L. Goldberg, The University of Texas, USA
Bayard L. Powell, The University of Texas, USA
Francis J. Giles, The University of Texas, USA
Meir Wetzler, The University of Texas, USA
Luke Akard, The University of Texas, USA
John M. Burke, The University of Texas, USA
Mansoor Saleh, Aga Khan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Department

Haematology and Oncology, East Africa

Abstract

Purpose: Long-term clinical outcome data have established imatinib 400 mg/d as standard front-line treatment for newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Patients and Methods: The Rationale and Insight for Gleevec High-Dose Therapy (RIGHT) trial is a multicenter study of imatinib 400 mg twice a day as initial therapy in 115 patients (70% Sokal low risk) with newly diagnosed CML in chronic phase who were observed for both molecular and cytogenetic responses for up to 18 months. Eighty-three patients (72%) completed the study, 10 patients (9%) discontinued the study because of adverse events, and six patients (5%) discontinued because of unsatisfactory therapeutic effect.

Results: Polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated rapid kinetics of major molecular response (MMR), with 48% of patients achieving MMR by 6 months, 54% by 12 months, and 63% by 18 months. Corresponding complete molecular response rates were 39%, 44%, and 55%, respec- tively. Median dose-intensity was 98%. Overall, 79% of patients who received at least 90% dose-intensity achieved MMR. The most frequent adverse events included myelosuppression, rash, fatigue, and musculoskeletal symptoms.

Conclusion: This study suggests that imatinib 400 mg twice a day results in more rapid reduction in tumor burden than imatinib 400 mg/d with minimal added toxicity

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Journal of Clinical Oncology

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2008.20.3869

Recommended Citation

Cortes, J., Kantarjian, H., Kantarjian, H., Goldberg, S., Powell, B., Giles, F., Wetzler, M., Akard, L., Burke, J., Saleh, M. (2009). High-dose imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: High rates of rapid cytogenetic and molecular responses. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 27(28), 1-6.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_haematol_oncol/52

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.