[Nilotinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia without response to imatinib]

Resistance and intolerance to imatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia requires alternative therapies. Nilotinib provides a choice as a second-line treatment. The objective of this report was to show the results of a group of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who received nilotinib as a second-line treatment.

The medical records of 16 patients of both sexes, of any age, diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, who received nilotinib as a second-line treatment, were reviewed. All of them had received imatinib prior as first-line treatment; the causes to switch to nilotinib were intolerance, resistance and clinical progression of leukemia.

The sample was of 16 patients, who achieved at least a hematologic response; 10 were males (62.5%). The age range was 24 to 75 years. Two patients received nilotinib due to intolerance to imatinib; seven due to resistance to imatinib and seven due to lack of response. There was response in the two patients who received nilotinib due to intolerance. One patient died five months after starting nilotinib due to progression of leukemia; four patients achieved major molecular response, two patients had reduced expression of BCR-ABL gene. Six patients continued with high expression of BCR-ABL gene; two of them carrying M244V mutation, and one with a complex karyotype with numerical and structural alterations.

Nilotinib is an option for patients with intolerance or resistance to imatinib.