Hematologic and cytogenetic findings in eleven chronic myelogenous leukemia patients treated with imatinib mesylate at a tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the response of Imatinib mesylate in patients with myeloid leukemia in chronic accelerated and blast phase. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eleven patients with established diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia were treated with Imatinib mesylate. Adverse events were documented with regular follow ups. Hematological and cytogenetic responses were assessed according to established criteria. Patients with zero percent Philadelphia positive metaphases were labeled as complete cytogenetic response while patients with 1% to 35% Philadelphia positive metaphases were termed as partial responders. RESULTS Of 11 cases there were 7 males and 4 females with a mean age of 39.5 years and median age 51 years (range 21-69). Male to female ratio was 7:4. Median follow-up was 34 weeks (range 8-78). Four patients were in blast crisis, 1 in accelerated phase and remaining six patients were in chronic phase. All patients achieved hematological response. Cytogenetic response was present in six patients, 3 were responders and the remaining were non responders. Two patients achieved complete cytogenetic response and one patient had partial cytogenetic response. Both patients with complete cytogenetic response relapsed in twelve weeks time. CONCLUSION Imatinib mesylate is a drug with curative potential and can be used as a first line drug in the management of CML, however at present the cure rate is unknown.