Complete Molecular Response in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia After Six Months of Imatinib: A Single Center Experience

The hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is the development of the fusion gene, BCR-ABL which has unopposed tyrosine kinase activity. The first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) imatinib is claimed to have superior efficacy and side effect profile as compared to traditional treatment options. This study was conducted to see our patients' molecular response to imatinib treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of complete molecular response in patients after six months of imatinib therapy.

A descriptive case series was designed and conducted in Oncology department, Jinnah hospital Lahore (May-November 2016). Newly diagnosed patients of CML aged between 20 and 65 years were enrolled. They were prescribed 400 mg imatinib daily and complete molecular response was assessed after six months of treatment.

Mean age was 39.76 ± 9.072 years. Some 66 of them were males while 69 were females. Some 40 patients (29.6%) were found to be in complete molecular response after six months of imatinib therapy.

Imatinib at a dose of 400 mg/day is optimal as the primary therapy for CML.