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Front-line treatment of Philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib and interferon-alpha: 5-year outcome.

Palandri F, Iacobucci I, Castagnetti F, Testoni N, Poerio A, Amabile M, Breccia M, Intermesoli T, Iuliano F, Rege-Cambrin G, Tiribelli M, Miglino M, Pane F, Saglio G, Martinelli G, Rosti G, Baccarani M,

Department of Hematology and Oncology "L. and A. Seràgnoli", St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. francesca.palandri@libero.it.

In 2004, we reported the short-term results of a multicentric, phase 2 study of imatinib 400 mg daily and pegylated interferon-alpha in the treatment of 76 early chronic phase Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients. In this report, we update the results with an observation time of five years. After two years of treatment, all but 10 patients (13%) had discontinued pegylated interferon-alpha. The complete cytogenetic response rate at five years was 87%, and 94% of complete cytogenetic responders maintained the complete cytogenetic response after five years. All but one complete cytogenetic response also achieved a major molecular response. These data confirm the excellent response to imatinib front-line and the stability of the complete cytogenetic response. Any possible additional benefit of the combination with interferon-alpha remains uncertain, due to low patient compliance.

Published 2 May 2008 in Haematologica, 93(5): 770-4.
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