Efficacy and safety of Imatinib for Ph positive patients of chronic myeloid leukemia

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Imatinib(Gleevec)for patients with Ph positive chronic myeloid leukemia(CML).METHODS A total of 90 CML patients(67 in chronic phase,14 in accelerated phase and 9 in blast crisis)were treated with 400 mg,600 mg and 800 mg daily of oral Imatinib for 1 to 51 months respectively.All the patients underwent blood routine examination weekly and bone marrow puncture,cytogenetic examination every three months.Dose was adjusted according to the results of the above examinations.RESULTS 84(93.3%)patients achieved complete hematological response.68 patients could evaluate cytogenetic response.Imatinib induced major cytogenetic response in 35(51.5%)patients and complete cytogenetic response in 31 patients(88.6%).Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia occurred in 11(12.2%)patients,which were manageable or tolerated.Grade 3 or 4 nonhematologic adverse effects were infrequent.CONCLUSION Imatinib induced high rate of cytogenetic and hematologic responses in patients with Ph positive CML.The adverse effects were mild and manageable or no need for treatment.