scholarly journals Autografting with cultured marrow in chronic myeloid leukemia: results of a pilot study [see comments]

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 724-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Barnett ◽  
CJ Eaves ◽  
GL Phillips ◽  
RD Gascoyne ◽  
DE Hogge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Phase Group ◽  
Cytogenetic Remission ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Incubation of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) marrow for 10 days in vitro causes a marked and selective loss of very primitive Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)+ as compared with Ph- progenitors. We have autografted 22 patients with CML (16 in first chronic phase [group 1] and 6 with more advanced disease [group 2]) with marrow treated in this way to facilitate restoration of Ph- hematopoiesis after intensive therapy. Hematologic recovery to greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/L neutrophils occurred in 16 patients, and to greater than 20 x 10(9)/L platelets in 15 of 21 evaluable patients at a median of 29 and 48 days postautograft, respectively. Regenerating marrow cells were 100% Ph- in 13 patients and 75% to 94% Ph- in 3. Between 4 and 36 months (median 12) postautograft, Ph+ cells became detectable in all but 1 (who died in remission) of the 13 patients who achieved complete cytogenetic remission. Four of 7 evaluable patients treated with low-dose interferon alpha were returned to complete cytogenetic remission. Thirteen group 1 patients (81%) are alive 1.0 to 5.7 years (median 2.6) after autografting: 4 in complete cytogenetic remission, 2 in hematologic remission, 6 in chronic phase, and 1 in myeloid blast phase. Three group 2 patients (50%) are alive at 2.6, 3.8, and 4.3 years after autografting: 1 in partial cytogenetic remission, 1 in chronic phase, and 1 in accelerated phase. Thus, autografts of cultured marrow can result in prolonged restoration of Ph- hematopoiesis for some patients with CML.

scholarly journals Autografting with cultured marrow in chronic myeloid leukemia: results of a pilot study [see comments]

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 724-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Barnett ◽  
CJ Eaves ◽  
GL Phillips ◽  
RD Gascoyne ◽  
DE Hogge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Phase Group ◽  
Cytogenetic Remission ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Incubation of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) marrow for 10 days in vitro causes a marked and selective loss of very primitive Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)+ as compared with Ph- progenitors. We have autografted 22 patients with CML (16 in first chronic phase [group 1] and 6 with more advanced disease [group 2]) with marrow treated in this way to facilitate restoration of Ph- hematopoiesis after intensive therapy. Hematologic recovery to greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/L neutrophils occurred in 16 patients, and to greater than 20 x 10(9)/L platelets in 15 of 21 evaluable patients at a median of 29 and 48 days postautograft, respectively. Regenerating marrow cells were 100% Ph- in 13 patients and 75% to 94% Ph- in 3. Between 4 and 36 months (median 12) postautograft, Ph+ cells became detectable in all but 1 (who died in remission) of the 13 patients who achieved complete cytogenetic remission. Four of 7 evaluable patients treated with low-dose interferon alpha were returned to complete cytogenetic remission. Thirteen group 1 patients (81%) are alive 1.0 to 5.7 years (median 2.6) after autografting: 4 in complete cytogenetic remission, 2 in hematologic remission, 6 in chronic phase, and 1 in myeloid blast phase. Three group 2 patients (50%) are alive at 2.6, 3.8, and 4.3 years after autografting: 1 in partial cytogenetic remission, 1 in chronic phase, and 1 in accelerated phase. Thus, autografts of cultured marrow can result in prolonged restoration of Ph- hematopoiesis for some patients with CML.

scholarly journals Phenotypic heterogeneity of primitive leukemic hematopoietic cells in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 2522-2530 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Udomsakdi ◽  
CJ Eaves ◽  
PM Lansdorp ◽  
AC Eaves
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Clonogenic Cell ◽  
Clonogenic Cells

Abstract The peripheral blood of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with chronic-phase disease and elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts typically contains markedly increased numbers of a variety of neoplastic pluripotent and lineage-restricted hematopoietic progenitors. These include cells detected in standard colony assays as well as their more primitive precursors. The latter are referred to as long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) because of their ability to generate clonogenic cell progeny detectable after a minimum of 5 weeks incubation on competent fibroblast feeder layers. In this study, we have investigated a number of the properties of the LTC-IC and clonogenic cells present in the blood of such CML patients with high WBC counts. This included an analysis of the light scattering properties of these progenitors, as well as their expression of CD34 and HLA-DR, Rhodamine-123 staining, and in vitro sensitivity to 4- hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. In the case of LTC-IC, the production of different types of lineage-restricted and multipotent progeny was also analyzed. Most of the circulating LTC-IC and clonogenic cells in the CML patients studied (on average approximately 70% and approximately 90%, respectively) showed features of proliferating or activated cells. This is in marked contrast to the majority of progenitors in the blood of normal individuals and most of the LTC-IC in normal marrow, all of which exhibit a phenotype expected of quiescent cells. Interestingly, a significant proportion of the circulating clonogenic cells and LTC-IC in the CML samples studied (on average approximately 10% and approximately 30%, respectively) appeared to be phenotypically similar to normal circulating progenitors, although their absolute numbers were indicative of a neoplastic origin. Both phenotypes of circulating CML clonogenic cells and LTC-IC could be obtained at approximately 10% to 20% purity by differential multiparameter sorting. These findings suggest that expansion of the Philadelphia chromosome-positive clone at the level of the earliest types of hematopoietic cells results from the activation of mechanisms that enable some, but not all, signals that block the cycling of normal stem cells to be bypassed or overcome. In addition, they provide strategies for purifying these primitive leukemic cells that should facilitate further analysis of the mechanisms underlying their abnormal proliferative behavior.

Loss of the Y Chromosome Predicts Lower Complete Cytogenetic Remission Rate in Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 4804-4804
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdelfatah ◽  
Adel Al-Alwan ◽  
Zeyad Kanaan ◽  
Mark R Litzow ◽  
Alexandra Wolanskyj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Molecular Response ◽  
Blast Phase ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Cytogenetic Remission ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Abstract 4804 Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is one of the classic myeloproliferative neoplasms characterized by a reciprocal translocation of BCR and ABL t(9;22)(q34;q11). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have revolutionized the management of CML in inducing rapid and prolonged responses. However; clonal evolution (CE) is considered a poor prognostic factor and a criterion for accelerated phase (AP) CML by the World Health Organization (WHO). Deletion of chromosome Y (−Y) is frequently considered an age-related abnormality and the exact prognostic value has not yet been determined. Aim: To determine if –Y carries an impact on the clinical outcome of male pts with CML. Methods: All male patients diagnosed with chronic phase CML in our institution between 1993 and 2011 were screened for -Y. Data were collected in a retrospective manner and compared (using t-test) to male patients with sole BCR-ABL translocation after excluding patients with advanced stages (accelerated phase, blast phase). Demographics, laboratory tests, cytogenetic analysis, molecular testing and survival data were abstracted. Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival were used via JMP software v9.0. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained for this study in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Results: 20 of 162 (12%) males with CML were found to have –Y abnormality (group 1). CML male patients with sole Philadelphia chromosome abnormality were the control cohort (group 2). In group1; the median age was 57 years, BMI 27.7, hemoglobin 12.2 g/dL, white blood cell count (WBC) 32.8 x109/L, platelet 270 x109/L, and peripheral blood blasts 1%. Sokal risk was low in 30%, intermediate in 65% and high in 5% of pts. Nine pts (45%) were treated with interferon (IFN) prior to TKI. In group 2; the median age was 54 years, hemoglobin 12 g/dL, WBC 57 x109/L, and platelet 282 x109/L. Sokal risk was low in 37%, intermediate in 47%, and high in 16%. 46 of 142 patients (32%) had received previous interferon therapy. All patients in both groups had chronic phase CML at the time of diagnosis, with a median bone marrow cellularity of 95%. In group 1, 14 of 20 pts (70%) received imatinib, all of whom achieved a complete hematological response (CHR), 7 of 14 pts (50%) had partial cytogenetic response, 2 of 14 pts (14%) achieved a complete cytogenic response (CCyR);1 (7%) pt achieved CCyR within 12 months and an additional 1 (7%) by 18 months). Two pts of 12 (16%) achieved at least a major molecular response (MMR); one of whom (8%) achieved a complete molecular response (CMR). In comparison, 107of 142 pts (75%) in group 2 received imatinib, all of whom achieved CHR. Twenty-one pts (20%) achieved partial cytogenetic remission. CCyR was more frequently achieved than group 1 (48/107 pts (45%), p 0.026); 24 pts (22%) achieved CCyR within 12 months of therapy and an additional 10 pts by 18-months. MMR and/or CMR was higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (34 /101 (34%), p 0.18); 16 (16%) of which were CMR. In group 1; 6 (30%) pts had disease progression; 4 of 20 pts (20%) progressed to blast phase (BP) and 2 pts (10%) progressed to AP, compared to 32 (22%) pts in group 2 (p 0.17); 22 (15%) of whom progressed to BP and 10 (7%) patients progressed to AP. Median overall survival was 110 months in group 1 compared to 155 months in group 2 (log rank p=0.48). On multivariate analysis, CCyR was an independent factor for a better OS (p 0.03), but not –Y (p 0.7). Conclusion: Loss of the Y chromosome in chronic myelogenous leukemia is an infrequent phenomenon (12%). Although patients with –Y had a statistically significant less chance to achieve CCyR, loss of the Y chromosome did not affect the progression rate or overall survival. Larger scale studies are needed to confirm our observations Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Phenotypic heterogeneity of primitive leukemic hematopoietic cells in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 2522-2530 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Udomsakdi ◽  
CJ Eaves ◽  
PM Lansdorp ◽  
AC Eaves
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Clonogenic Cell ◽  
Clonogenic Cells

The peripheral blood of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with chronic-phase disease and elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts typically contains markedly increased numbers of a variety of neoplastic pluripotent and lineage-restricted hematopoietic progenitors. These include cells detected in standard colony assays as well as their more primitive precursors. The latter are referred to as long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) because of their ability to generate clonogenic cell progeny detectable after a minimum of 5 weeks incubation on competent fibroblast feeder layers. In this study, we have investigated a number of the properties of the LTC-IC and clonogenic cells present in the blood of such CML patients with high WBC counts. This included an analysis of the light scattering properties of these progenitors, as well as their expression of CD34 and HLA-DR, Rhodamine-123 staining, and in vitro sensitivity to 4- hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. In the case of LTC-IC, the production of different types of lineage-restricted and multipotent progeny was also analyzed. Most of the circulating LTC-IC and clonogenic cells in the CML patients studied (on average approximately 70% and approximately 90%, respectively) showed features of proliferating or activated cells. This is in marked contrast to the majority of progenitors in the blood of normal individuals and most of the LTC-IC in normal marrow, all of which exhibit a phenotype expected of quiescent cells. Interestingly, a significant proportion of the circulating clonogenic cells and LTC-IC in the CML samples studied (on average approximately 10% and approximately 30%, respectively) appeared to be phenotypically similar to normal circulating progenitors, although their absolute numbers were indicative of a neoplastic origin. Both phenotypes of circulating CML clonogenic cells and LTC-IC could be obtained at approximately 10% to 20% purity by differential multiparameter sorting. These findings suggest that expansion of the Philadelphia chromosome-positive clone at the level of the earliest types of hematopoietic cells results from the activation of mechanisms that enable some, but not all, signals that block the cycling of normal stem cells to be bypassed or overcome. In addition, they provide strategies for purifying these primitive leukemic cells that should facilitate further analysis of the mechanisms underlying their abnormal proliferative behavior.

scholarly journals Characterization of primitive subpopulations of normal and leukemic cells present in the blood of patients with newly diagnosed as well as established chronic myeloid leukemia

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 2162-2171 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Petzer ◽  
CJ Eaves ◽  
PM Lansdorp ◽  
L Ponchio ◽  
MJ Barnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
White Blood Cell Counts

Elevated numbers of primitive Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) progenitors, including long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) as well as colony-forming cells (CFC), have been previously described in the blood of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase with high white blood cell counts. In the present study, which focused primarily on an analysis of circulating progenitors present in such patients at diagnosis, we discovered the frequent and occasionally exclusive presence of circulating normal (Ph-) LTC-IC, often at levels above those seen for LTC-IC in the blood of normal individuals. The presence of detectable numbers of circulating Ph- LTC-IC was independent of the fact that the same peripheral blood samples also contained elevated numbers of predominantly or exclusively Ph+ CFC. Interestingly, both the Ph+ and Ph- LTC-IC in these samples were CD34+CD71- and variably CD38- and Thy-1+, as previously documented for LTC-IC in normal marrow. Thus, neither CD38 nor Thy-1 expression was useful for discriminating between Ph+ and Ph- LTC-IC in mixed populations. Nevertheless, an association of these phenotypes with LTC- IC function did allow highly enriched (> 5% pure) suspensions of either Ph+ or Ph- LTC-IC to be obtained from selected samples of CML blood in which the initial LTC-IC population was either predominantly Ph+ or Ph- , respectively. These findings suggest that the mechanisms causing mobilization of leukemic stem cells in untreated CML patients may affect their normal counterparts. They also indicate a possible new source of autologous cells for the support of intensive therapy of CML patients. Finally, they provide a method for obtaining the most highly purified populations of Ph+ LTC-IC described to date. This method should be useful for further analyses of the molecular activities of these very primitive neoplastic cells.

scholarly journals Safety Profile of Imatinib in Indian Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients

1970 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
R Meena ◽  
NR Biswas ◽  
Lalit Kumar ◽  
T Velpandian ◽  
YK Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Imatinib Mesylate ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Weight Changes

Introduction: Imatinib mesylate has become the choice of drug in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Objective: To study safety profile of Imatinib (specific inhibitor or bcrabl tryosne kinase protein) in Philadelphia chromosome t {(9:22), bcr-abl} positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) chronic phase patients. Materials and Methods: After IEC clearance, 36, BCR-ABL positive CML patients in the chronic phase of the disease were recruited. Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, Novartis), was started (400mg daily) and followed up weekly in first month, two weekly till three months & monthly thereafter. Safety profile data, recorded in pre-designed proforma, were analyzed for time of onset, duration and severity of adverse effects. Causality relationship of recorded adverse events was established with imatinib therapy using WHO-UMC criteria. Results: A total of 222 adverse events were reported in 36 CML-CP patients over 12 months of follow up. Thrombocytopenia was the most commonly reported in 60% of the patients followed by musculoskeletal (17%), dermatological (16%), gastrointestinal disturbances (13%), body weight changes (11%), superficial edema (8%) and liver enzyme rise (4%). More than 80% events reported within months of therapy which persisted for less than 3 months in most of the cases. No treatment was needed in 68% of cases while therapy alteration was not needed in 88% of cases. Most of the reactions (60%) had probable relationship with the therapy. Conclusion: Imatinib was well tolerated, having only mild to moderate grade of toxicities, mostly within 3 months of therapy and most of them persisted for less than 3 months of duration, requiring only symptomatic treatment and drug withhold or dose decrement in only few cases. Keywords: Safety profile; imatinib; causality assessment; adverse events. DOI: 10.3126/hren.v9i1.4358Health Renaissance, 2011: Vol.9 No.1:24-30

scholarly journals Stem Cell Factor as a Single Agent Induces Selective Proliferation of the Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Fraction of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia CD34+ Cells

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (7) ◽  
pp. 2461-2470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Moore ◽  
David N. Haylock ◽  
Jean-Pierre Lévesque ◽  
Louise A. McDiarmid ◽  
Leanne M. Samels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Stem Cell Factor ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Proliferative Effect ◽  
Cd34 Cells

Abstract The interaction between p145c-KIT and p210bcr-abl in transduced cell lines, and the selective outgrowth of normal progenitors during long-term culture of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells on stroma deficient in stem-cell factor (SCF) suggests that the response of CML cells to SCF may be abnormal. We examined the proliferative effect of SCF(100 ng/mL), provided as the sole stimulus, on individual CD34+ cells from five normal donors and five chronic-phase CML patients. Forty-eight percent of isolated single CML CD34+ cells proliferated after 6 days of culture to a mean of 18 cells, whereas only 8% of normal CD34+ cells proliferated (mean number of cells generated was 4). SCF, as a single agent, supported the survival and expansion of colony-forming unit–granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) from CML CD34+CD38+ cells and the more primitive CML CD34+CD38− cells. These CFU-GM colonies were all bcr-abl positive, showing the specificity of SCF stimulation for the leukemic cell population. Coculture of CML and normal CD34+ cells showed exclusive growth of Ph+cells, suggesting that growth in SCF alone is not dependent on secretion of cytokines by CML cells. SCF augmentation of β1-integrin–mediated adhesion of CML CD34+cells to fibronectin was not increased when compared with the effect on normal CD34+ cells, suggesting that the proliferative and adhesive responses resulting from SCF stimulation are uncoupled. The increased proliferation may contribute to the accumulation of leukemic progenitors, which is a feature of CML.

α1-Acid glycoprotein expressed in the plasma of chronic myeloid leukemia patients does not mediate significant in vitro resistance to STI571

Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 713-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather G. Jørgensen ◽  
Moira A. Elliott ◽  
Elaine K. Allan ◽  
Christine E. Carr ◽  
Tessa L. Holyoake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Plasma Proteins ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Drug Efficacy ◽  
Acid Glycoprotein ◽  
Proliferation In Vitro ◽  
Normal Controls

Abstract Despite the efficacy of STI571 (Glivec, Novartis, Basle, Switzerland) in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), drug resistance has already been noted both in vitro and in vivo. As plasma proteins, including alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), may reduce drug efficacy through binding, AGP was investigated for its ability to interact with STI571.  At all stages of CML, AGP plasma level was significantly higher than in normal controls (P < .05). The glycoprotein was purified from normal plasma and individual chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients' plasma by low-pressure chromatography. The influence of α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), in the presence of STI571, on the proliferation of Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) cells was examined. Normal AGP, even at supraphysiological concentrations, did not block the effect of STI571 on K562-cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, CML-derived AGP failed to block the effect of STI571 on Ph+ cells in vitro. Thus, these in vitro findings suggest that AGP will not abrogate the antileukemic activity of STI571.

Long-Term Follow-Up of the Italian Trial of Interferon- Versus Conventional Chemotherapy in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 1541-1548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Conventional Chemotherapy ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Cytogenetic Remission ◽  
Ifn Treatment

Abstract Several prospective randomized studies have shown that the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia with interferon- (IFN-) prolongs the survival by comparison with conventional chemotherapy. However, although IFN- can induce cytogenetic responses, true complete remissions are rarely achieved and information on the long-term effects of IFN- treatment is limited. For that purpose, we updated and analyzed a prospective comparative trial of IFN- and conventional chemotherapy that was initiated in 1986. The first analysis of the trial was already published, and showed a survival advantage for IFN- (N Engl J Med 12:820, 1994). The observation period of living patients now ranges between 95 and 129 months and we examined the long-term effects of IFN- treatment, always by comparison with conventional chemotherapy and according to the intention-to-treat principle. The patients who were submitted to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in chronic phase (38 of 322 or 12%) were censored at the date of BMT. Seventy-three of the original 284 nontransplanted patients were alive, 56 (30%) in the IFN- arm and 17 (18%) in the chemotherapy arm. Forty-one patients overall (14%) were still receiving IFN-. In the IFN- arm 9 patients were in continuous complete cytogenetic remission and 11 were in major or minor cytogenetic remission. Median and 10-year survival of low-risk patients were 104 months (95% CI, 85 to 127 months) and 47% (95% CI, 36% to 59%) in IFN- arm versus 64 months (95% CI, 49 to 98 months) and 30% (95% CI, 16% to 44%) in chemotherapy arm (P = .03). Median and ten-year survival of non–low-risk patients were 69 months (95% CI, 56 to 76 months) and 16% (95% CI, 8% to 24%) in IFN- arm versus 46 months (95% CI, 39 to 61 months) and 5% (95% CI, 0% to 11%) in chemotherapy arm (P = .006). A low Sokal’s risk, hematologic response, and cytogenetic response were associated with a longer survival. No major or unusual side effects were recorded after the 5th year of IFN- treatment. Fourteen patients died in chronic phase, 9 (4%) in IFN- arm and 5 (5%) in chemotherapy arm, mainly of cardiovascular accidents (6 cases) and of other cancers (5 cases). We conclude that a policy of chronic treatment with IFN- maintained a significant survival advantage over conventional chemotherapy on a long-term basis and irrespective of the risk. However, the great majority of the long-term survivors were in the low-risk group. The question of treatment discontinuation was not addressed in this study. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document