Mini-ICE regimen as mobilization therapy for chronic myelogenous leukaemia patients at diagnosis

Between April 1996 and May 1998, 20 consecutive patients with Ph chromosome-positive CML in first chronic phase without an HLA-identical sibling received the mini-ICE regimen shortly after diagnosis to mobilize progenitor cells into the peripheral blood (PBPCs). The sex distribution was 12 males and eight females and the median (range) age 48.5 (22-62) years. The time interval between diagnosis and mobilization was a median (range) of 2 (0-5) months. Leukaphereses were initiated during recovery from chemotherapy-induced aplasia. A median number of 3 (1-7) aphereses per patient were performed to collect >/=2.0 x 106 CD34+cells/kg. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on the aphereses products of 18 patients. Complete cytogenetic Ph chromosome negativity was observed in four patients, nine had a partial negativity, three a minimal negativity and two no negative cells. Southern blot for bcr-abl was negative in the remaining two patients but the polymerase chain reaction analysis was positive. Following reinfusion, severe neutropenia was present for a median of 8.5 (3-19) days and severe thrombocytopenia lasted a median of 8 (3-18) days. Ten patients did not develop febrile neutropenia with four of them being treated on an outpatient basis. Treatment-related mortality was not observed. In conclusion, our experience demonstrates the feasibility of mobilizing PBPCs shortly after the diagnosis of CML with a safe regimen. Of note, mini-ICE allowed the collection of apheresis products with at least a major component of Ph-negative cells in almost 75% of the patients.