Imatinib Mesylate Discontinuation in Patients with Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia in Complete Molecular Remission for More Than Two Years.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 1101-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Rousselot ◽  
Françoise Huguet ◽  
Jean Michel Cayuela ◽  
Odile Maarek ◽  
Gérald Marit ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Imatinib mesylate (IM, Gleevec®) induces cytogenetic remission (CCR) defined as the disappearance of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive metaphases in more than 85% of patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). However, less than 10% achieve a complete molecular response which may be defined by a minimum residual disease undetectable using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Virtually all patients in CCR will relapse after IM interruption because of detectable residual disease. In the present study, we have discontinuated IM in patients with undetectable residual disease for more than 2 years. Patients and method. We prospectively collected the results from 8 CML patients (median age 62 years; 41 years to 82 years) treated with IM (400 mg/day). Residual disease was quantified by RTQ-PCR and expressed as the BCR-ABL/BCR ratio. PCR negativity was controlled independently by two molecular laboratories every 4 months and patients were included in the study if they have been PCR negative during at least 2 years under IM therapy. After IM discontinuation, RTQ-PCR was monitored every month. Results. According to Sokal’s classification, 4 patients were considered low risk, 3 intermediate risk and one high risk. All patients except one received interferon (treatment duration 3 to 72 months). One of them received an autologous stem cell transplantation for interferon failure. Median duration of IM therapy was 37 months (34 months to 40 months) and median time from CML diagnosis to IM discontinuation was 104 months (43 months to 152 months). RTQ-PCR negativity was observed during 30 months in median (24 months to 46 months) as required for the inclusion in the study. Four patients presented a molecular relapse with a detectable BCR-ABL transcript rising from 0,001% to 0,01% confirmed at least two times after 2 months (2 patients), 3 months and 4 months of IM discontinuation without detectable BCR-ABL kinase domain mutation. IM was then restarted and lead to a novel molecular remission in 2 patients and to a major molecular response in the 2 others. Four other patients are still negative with a follow up of 8, 9, 12 and 13 months after IM discontinuation. Of note, all these patients received interferon before IM therapy and one patient still have detectable serum antinuclear antibodies. Conclusion. As we have previously reported with interferon, it is possible to stop IM in patients with CML who achieve a molecular remission as we have strictly defined. Early molecular relapses are sensitive to IM re-challenge. Interestingly, we did not observed late relapses at this point. As our patients in persistent molecular remission were previously exposed to interferon, it is possible that IM therapy combined with immune response modifiers could be responsible for a putative cure of the disease.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 2154-2154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois-Xavier Mahon ◽  
Francoise Huguet ◽  
Gabriel Etienne ◽  
Delphine Réa ◽  
Jean-Michel Cayuela ◽  
...  

Abstract The BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) induces complete cytogenetic responses (CCR) in more than 85% of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, patients in CCR relapse after imatinib interruption in case of detectable residual disease. In fact, less than 10% of patients achieve a molecular remission, defined by an undetectable residual disease using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTQ-PCR). We previously reported the outcome of CML patients in CCR after cessation of interferon-alpha during the pre-imatinib era. Seven (all with a negative PCR) out of 15 patients did not relapse (J Clin. Oncol.,20,2002:214–220). In the present study, we address the issue of the discontinuation of imatinib in CML with undetectable residual disease for more than 2 years in 15 patients. The median duration of RTQ-PCR negativity and imatinib therapy were respectively 32 months (24–46) and 45 months (32–56) before imatinib interruption. Eight patients displayed a molecular relapse with a detectable BCR-ABL transcript appearance between the first 6 months. Imatinib was then re-introduced and led to a novel molecular response in most patients. Seven other patients have still an undetectable level of BCR-ABL transcript after a median follow up of 20 months (9–24). With the assumption that the doubling time of a proliferative CML cell is 8 days, it will take a maximum of 6 months if only one leukemic cell persists and proliferates to reach 107 cells i.e corresponding to a residual disease detectable by RTQ-PCR. Relapses observed within 6 months may reflect the kinetic of undetectable dividing CML cells. Those cells may be eradicated or controlled in long term non relapsing patients described in our study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
Reni Widyastuti ◽  
Melva Louisa ◽  
Ikhwan Rinaldi ◽  
Riki Nova ◽  
Instiaty Instiaty ◽  
...  

Background: Imatinib mesylate is the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) therapy. Imatinib is an effective drug. However, previous studies have shown that about 20-30% of patients eventually would develop resistance to imatinib. Approximately 40% of imatinib resistance is associated with BCRABL kinase domain mutation. One of the most common and serious variations account for imatinib response is T315I of ABL1 gene. Objective: The study aimed to examine the association of T315I mutation with the ABL1 gene and its relation to major molecular response (MMR) achievement in CML patients. This study also examined other mutations adjacent to T315I, i.e., F311I, F317L, and different possible variations in the ABL1 gene. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on Indonesian CML patients in chronic phase. We analyzed 120 blood samples from patients in chronic phase who have received imatinib mesylate (IM) for ≥12 months. Results: There were no T315I, F311I, and F317L mutations found in this study. However, we found another variation, which was 36 substitutions from A to G at position 163816 of ABL1 gene (according to NG_012034.1). Conclusions: We found no T315I, F311I, and F317L mutations in this study. Our findings suggest that there might be other factors that influenced the MMR achievement in our study patients. However, there were 36 substitutions from A to G at position 163.816 (according to NG_012034.1) that needed further examination to explore the significance of this mutation in clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Michele Baccarani ◽  
Simona Soverini ◽  
Caterina De Benedittis

The course of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and the response to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are best monitored and assessed using two molecular tests: the first is real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR), which measures the size of residual disease that is expressed as BCR-ABL1% (the ratio between BCR-ABL1 and a control gene) and the other is mutational analysis by Sanger sequencing, which checks for the presence of BCR-ABL1 kinase domain point mutations. Both tests are technically demanding and require a high level of specialization and standardization. RQ-PCR, when performed on a regular basis, allows for the defining of molecular response (MR) levels as log reduction from a standardized baseline: major molecular response (MMR or MR3) that is the best predictor of survival; and the deeper molecular response (MR4, MR4.5, and MR5) that is necessary to enroll a patient in a trial aiming at treatment-free remission (TFR). Mutational analysis, to be performed in case of failure or warning by Sanger sequencing, allows for screening of the BCR-ABL1 kinase domain for mutations conferring resistance to TKIs. Since different mutations have different degrees of sensitivity to each of the currently available TKI, the knowledge of BCR-ABL1 kinase domain–mutation status is necessary for subsequent treatment choice. Optimal patient management requires that MR and mutational information be rationally interpreted at both the technical and at the biologic level, and put into context—therapeutic decisions also take into account other factors, such as age, comorbidities, side effects, compliance, and treatment-related complications.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 2158-2158
Author(s):  
Giuliana Alimena ◽  
Massimo Breccia ◽  
Luigia Luciano ◽  
Fabrizio Quarantelli ◽  
Daniela Diverio ◽  
...  

Abstract Imatinib mesylate was given to 26 Philadelphia positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who were in late chronic phase (CP) and in stable complete cytogenetic response (CCR) after interferon-alfa (IFN-α), but showed persistent positive residual disease at PCR analysis under this treatment. At diagnosis median age was 40 years (range 21–64) and according to Sokal’s score, 18 patients were low risk and 8 were intermediate risk. Median IFN treatment was 88 mo.s (range 15–202) and median CCR duration was 73 mo.s (range 10–148). Imatinib was administered at the standard dose of 400 mg/die, after stopping IFN for 1 week. Residual disease was measured on bone marrow (BM) cells at baseline, before starting Imatinib, at 3, 6, 12, 18 mo.s and at the last follow-up (median 32 mo.s, range 21–49), by assaying BCR-ABL transcripts using quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR). The copy number (CN) of BCR/ABL and ABL transcript were derived by the interpolation of CT values to the appropriate standard curve, and the result, for each sample, was expressed as ratio of BCR/ABL mRNA copies to ABL mRNA x 100 (normalized copy number - NCN). Imatinib treatment resulted in a progressive and consistent decline of residual disease in all but one patient, from a median of 0.89 at baseline to 0.01 at the end of follow-up. Major molecular response (BCR/ABL levels <0.1) was reached in 20 patients (77%) and BCR/ABL transcripts were undetectable in 13 (50%). Achievement of molecular response was significantly correlated with post-IFN baseline transcript level (mean 1.194 for patients achieving complete molecular response vs 18,97 for those who did not; p<0.001), but not with other clinical/biological patient characteristics. In all patients, imatinib was well tolerated with no side effects requiring drug dose reduction or dose discontinuation. Albeit obtained from an unusual subset of selected patients with favourable prognosis, and likely particularly sensitive to imatinib, present results confirm the efficacy of combining Imatinib and IFN-α and further support investigating treatment approaches employing these two drugs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Sarah L. McCarron ◽  
Karena Maher ◽  
Johanna Kelly ◽  
Mary F. Ryan ◽  
Stephen E. Langabeer

A minority of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients express variant transcripts of which the e19a2BCR-ABL1fusion is the most common. Instances of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in e19a2BCR-ABL1CML patients have rarely been reported. A case of e19a2BCR-ABL1CML is described in whom imatinib resistance, associated with a Q252HABL1kinase domain mutation, became apparent soon after initiation of TKI therapy. The patient rapidly transformed to myeloid blast crisis (BC) with considerable bone marrow fibrosis and no significant molecular response to a second generation TKI. The clinical course was complicated by comorbidities with the patient rapidly succumbing to advanced disease. This scenario of Q252H-associated TKI resistance with rapid BC transformation has not been previously documented in e19a2BCR-ABL1CML. This case highlights the considerable challenges remaining in the management of TKI-resistant BC CML, particularly in the elderly patient.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1002-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Rousselot ◽  
Laurence Legros ◽  
Joelle Guilhot ◽  
Mauricette Michallet ◽  
Francois Xavier Mahon ◽  
...  

Abstract The prognosis of patients (pts) with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) in blast crisis (BC) remains poor. Despite better result with imatinib mesylate (IM), overall hematologic response rates with IM alone are about 50% including 13% of pts reaching complete hematologic remission (CHR). Response duration is short and median survival is 6 to 7 months. Daunorubicin and cytarabine are 2 major drugs for acute myeloblastic leukaemia and have additive or synergistic in vitro effects with IM, depending of the cell line studied. We therefore planned a dose escalating study in an attempt to assess the safety and the efficacy of IM associated with chemotherapy. We combined fixed doses of IM (600 mg daily started 3 days before chemotherapy) and cytarabine (100 mg/m² per day as a continuous IV infusion D1 to D7) with increasing dosages of daunorubicin (cohort 1: no daunorubicin, cohorts 2, 3 and 4 : 15, 30 and 45 mg/m²/day D1 to D3 respectively). G-CSF was administered from D9 until haematological recovery. No PK analysis were performed in this study. Unacceptable toxicities were defined as aplasia duration ≥ 45 days and/or unusual grade 3/4 toxicities. Lowest Toxic Dose was defined as the occurence of unacceptable toxicities in ≥2/6 pts per cohort. Maximum Tolerated Dose defined the recommended dose i.e dose level at which 1 or less than 1 unacceptable toxicity occured in 6 pts. Pts aged ≥18 years with CML myeloid BC were eligible if not previously exposed to IM (n=6 pts evaluable for toxicity in each cohort). 20 pts (median age 55 range 29–74) have been enrolled, 19 pts being evaluable (1 pt with lymphoid BC was excluded). Median follow up is 9 months. Grade 3 to 4 non haematological toxicities were hepatitis not related to IM (n=1, dose level 1), spleen pain (n=1, dose level 2), hyperbilirubinemia (n=1, dose level 2) and skin rash (n=1, dose level 3). All responding pts had a neutrophil recovery before D45 (median duration of neutropenia 16 days, range 1–44); one pt in cohort 3 experienced a thrombocytopenia (&lt; 100 G/l) for longer than 45 days leading to recommend the 30 mg/sq dosage of daunorubicin for the further pts included in the study. CHR was achieved in 45% (n=9) of cases, including 5 pts in complete cytogenetic response(CCR). Median CHR duration was 5 months (range 0,5–16+ months). 1 pt received allogenic bone marrow transplantation in CR. During this first part of the trial 10 deaths were recorded with a 12 months estimated survival of 52% (95%CI: 26–77): 2 deaths were due to disease progression; 3 occurred early in the course of the disease ( 2 CNS haemorrhage and 1 after splenectomy ); 3 after achieving initial hematologic response ( 1 relapse, 1 septic shock, 1 hepatitis) 2 because of refractory relapse after achieving initial CCR. Imatinib combined with the classical 3 + 7 induction protocol produce a high rate of haematological remissions in myeloid BC pts. Daunorubicin dosage should be tapered to 30 mg/m² per day to avoid excessive toxicity. Additional pts are currently under treatment with this dosage in order to confirm this recommendation. An update of this trial will be presented.


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