Chronic Myeloid Leukemia with Variant Chromosomal Translocations: Results of Treatment with Imatinib Mesylate

• Main Authors: Rohan Bhise, Samit Purohit, Lokanatha D, Linu Jacob, Suresh TM, Govind Babu K, Suresh Babu, Lakshmaiah KC
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Light House Polyclinic Mangalore 2013-01-01
• Series: Online Journal of Health & Allied Sciences
• Subjects: Chronic myeloid leukemia; Imatinib; Variant translocation
• Online Access: http://www.ojhas.org/issue44/2012-4-5.html

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia patients with variant translocations. Methods: Forty eight chronic myeloid leukemia patients carrying variant translocations and treated with imatinib at our institute were considered for the study. Survival and response rates were evaluated. Results: The median follow up was 48 months(m). Forty three (89.58%) patients achieved complete hematologic response. Thirty one (64.58%) patients achieved complete cytogenetic response and 19(39.58%) achieved major molecular response anytime during their follow up period. Only 18.75% of the patients achieved complete cytogenetic response and major molecular response within the stipulated time frames.The estimated overall survival at 48 m median follow up was 81.2%.The progression free survival was also 81.2% and the event free survival was 79.1%.There was no significant survival difference between low vs intermediate and high risk sokal group. Conclusion: We report suboptimal responses to imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia with variant translocations. Further studies with imatinib and the newer more active drugs dasatinib and nilotinib are justified.