Durable Molecular Remissions in Patients with Relapsed CML Post Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation upon Treatment with Imatinib-Mesylate (Glivec®, STI-571). Follow-Up Results of a Phase II Open-Label Study.

Abstract Purpose: In a phase II clinical trial we have previously reported on the safety and efficacy of imatinib mesylate (IM) to induce hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular remissions in case of relapse post allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). Here we report on an extended follow-up phase, which was performed to monitor stability of responses and further disease course in patients enrolled. Patients and Methods: Within the trial, patients, transplanted in chronic phase (CP) CML with molecular or cytogenetic relapse (n=37), received IM at a starting dose of 400mg. Close monitoring was performed, which, besides evaluation of sid…