Complete cytogenetic and molecular responses to interferon-α-based therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia are associated with excellent long-term prognosis
✍ Scribed by Hagop M. Kantarjian; Susan O'Brien; Jorge E. Cortes; Jianqin Shan; Francis J. Giles; Mary Beth Rios; Stefan H. Faderl; William G. Wierda; Alessandra Ferrajoli; Srdan Verstovsek; Michael J. Keating; Emil J. Freireich; Moshe Talpaz
- Book ID
- 102107304
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2003
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 122 KB
- Volume
- 97
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0008-543X
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Little is known regarding long‐term prognosis among patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)‐positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who achieve a complete cytogenetic response (0% Ph‐positive cells) after treatment with interferon‐α.
METHODS
The authors analyzed 512 patients with Ph‐positive, early chronic‐phase CML who were treated with interferon‐based therapies between 1981–1995 for the incidence and durability of complete cytogenetic response, and in relation to long‐term prognosis.
RESULTS
One hundred forty patients (27%) achieved a complete cytogenetic response. Their 10‐year survival rate was 78%. At the time of last follow‐up, 44 patients (31%, 9% of the total) were alive, 21 in first and 23 in second durable complete cytogenetic response (median, 127 months; range, 88–191 months); 39 patients had not received any therapy for a median of 50 months (range, 11–139 months). Analysis by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction in 78 patients during complete cytogenetic response showed 46 who had achieved at least 1 complete molecular response. Five of these 78 patients had died by the time of last follow‐up, but only 2 had died of disease‐specific causes. Recurrence rates were significantly lower and cytogenetic response durations were significantly longer among patients who achieved at least one complete molecular response.
CONCLUSIONS
Achieving a complete cytogenetic or molecular response after therapy with interferon‐α appears to be associated with excellent long‐term prognosis. Approximately 10% of patients reportedly can achieve durable complete cytogenetic response, with or without continuation of interferon. This finding emphasizes the potential of long‐term event‐free survival in CML patients outside the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, which may be improved with new therapies such as imatinib mesylate. Cancer 2003;97:1033–41. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
DOI 10.1002/cncr.11223