Optimizing First-Line Therapy for Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Carmen Fava, Jorge Cortes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Imatinib is now established as the gold standard first-line therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Responses to imatinib are superior to those seen with interferon alfa and also occur earlier, demonstrating a stronger and deeper response to therapy. Imatinib therapy also provides long-term clinical benefit and outcomes, with improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with historical controls, at 6 years of follow-up. Recent data show that annual event rates decline over time with imatinib therapy, suggesting that long-term disease control is possible in continuously responding patients. Despite these treatment successes, new strategies are continually being evaluated to maximize responses to imatinib and ensure the best treatment outcomes for all patients. For example, high-dose imatinib therapy, with doses up to 800 mg/d, has been shown to improve response rates. Prospective, randomized trials are ongoing to assess the benefits of high-dose imatinib therapy and determine whether it extends PFS and OS compared with standard-dose imatinib.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S5-S10
JournalSeminars in Hematology
Volume46
Issue numberSUPPL. 3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optimizing First-Line Therapy for Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this