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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Published on: October 17, 2025
Isolated central nervous system relapse in lymphoid blast crisis chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic
Salha Bujassoum1, Joshua Rifkind, Jeffrey H Lipton
1Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario Canada.
Philadelphia chromosome positive ALL and CML have shown remarkable responses to imatinib (Gleevec, STI571) in phase I, II and III studies. However, imatinib has very poor penetration of the blood brain barrier resulting in subtherapeutic levels in the CNS. We present 2 cases of patients treated with imatinib that achieved complete cytogenetic remission within 3 months who subsequently developed CNS relapses while remaining in complete cytogenetic remission on bone marrow examination. Both patients went on to achieve CNS remission following treatment with intrathecal methotrexate and cytarabine.
Philadelphia chromosome positive ALL and CML have shown remarkable responses to imatinib (Gleevec, STI571) in phase I, II and III studies. However, imatinib has very poor penetration of the blood brain barrier resulting in subtherapeutic levels in the CNS. We present 2 cases of patients treated with imatinib that achieved complete cytogenetic remission within 3 months who subsequently developed CNS relapses while remaining in complete cytogenetic remission on bone marrow examination. Both patients went on to achieve CNS remission following treatment with intrathecal methotrexate and cytarabine.
