Significance of myelofibrosis in early chronic-phase, chronic myelogenous leukemia on imatinib mesylate therapy

Hagop M. Kantarjian, Carlos E. Bueso-Ramos, Moshe Talpaz, Susan O'Brien, Francis Giles, Stefan Faderl, William Wierda, Mary Beth Rios, Jianqin Shan, Jorge Cortes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Myelofibrosis is associated historically with a poor prognosis in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Its significance in the recent era of effective therapy with imatinib mesylate is unknown. METHODS. The current study evaluated the significance of the degree of pretreatment myelofibrosis on response and survival with imatinib therapy in patients with newly diagnosed CML. The study group comprised 198 patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive, chronic-phase CML treated with imatinib mesylate therapy. They were analyzed for the prognostic significance of bone marrow reticulin fibrosis. RESULTS. Severe reticulin (Grade 3-4) fibrosis was observed in 75 patients (38%): Grade 3 in 46 (23%) patients and Grade 4 in 29 (15%) patients. There was a trend towards a lower incidence of a complete cytogenetic response in patients with Grade 4 reticulin fibrosis (76% vs. 89%; P = 0.07), and a significantly worse survival (estimated 3-year survival rate of 87% vs. 97%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS. Although the prognostic significance of severe reticulin fibrosis in patients with newly diagnosed CML receiving imatinib therapy was better, 15% of patients with Grade 4 reticulin fibrosis still had a worse outcome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)777-780
Number of pages4
JournalCancer
Volume104
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chronic myelogenous leukemia
  • Imatinib mesylate
  • Myelofibrosis
  • Philadelphia chromosome
  • Positive chronic phase
  • Prognostic significance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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