Haematologica (Jun 2010)

Efficacy of escalated imatinib combined with cytarabine in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

  • Wendy Deenik,
  • Jeroen J.W.M. Janssen,
  • Bronno van der Holt,
  • Gregor E.G. Verhoef,
  • Willem M. Smit,
  • Marie José Kersten,
  • Simon M.G.J. Daenen,
  • Leo F. Verdonck,
  • Augustin Ferrant,
  • Anton V.M.B. Schattenberg,
  • Pieter Sonneveld,
  • Marinus van Marwijk Kooy,
  • Shulamit Wittebol,
  • Roelof Willemze,
  • Pierre W. Wijermans,
  • H. Berna Beverloo,
  • Bob Löwenberg,
  • Peter J.M. Valk,
  • Gert J. Ossenkoppele,
  • Jan J. Cornelissen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2009.016766
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 95, no. 6

Abstract

Read online

Background In order to improve the molecular response rate and prevent resistance to treatment, combination therapy with different dosages of imatinib and cytarabine was studied in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the HOVON-51 study.Design and Methods Having reported feasibility previously, we hereby report the efficacy of escalated imatinib (200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg or 800 mg) in combination with two cycles of intravenous cytarabine (200 mg/m2 or 1000 mg/m2 days 1 to 7) in 162 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.Results With a median follow-up of 55 months, the 5-year cumulative incidences of complete cytogenetic response, major molecular response, and complete molecular response were 89%, 71%, and 53%, respectively. A higher Sokal risk score was inversely associated with complete cytogenetic response (hazard ratio of 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.50–0.79, P