Impact of imatinib interruption and duration of prior hydroxyurea on the treatment outcome in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia : single institution experience

الملخص EN

Background : Optimal response requires that patients should be maintained on the drug continuously.

Objectives : To evaluate the influence of imatinib interruption and prior hydroxyurea use on the outcome of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Materials and methods: Between January 2010 and November 2013, patients with chronic phase who received imatinib at the Kasr Al-ainy Center of Clinical Oncology were included.

Results : Sixty patients were included in this study, thirty three patients (55 %) received imatinib upfront, while 27 (45 %) received imatinib post hydroxyurea.

Imatinib was not given regularly in 50 % of patients.

In terms of response, only major molecular response and complete molecular response were statistically significant in favor of patients who were receiving imatinib regularly compared to those who had interruption (p < 0.

001, p < 0.

001, respectively) , while there was no difference in patients stratified according to prior hydroxyurea.

The median progression free survival was 30.

3 months (95 % CI 24.

3-36.

3).

Among the group of patients who received imatinib regularly, progression free survival was longer (p = 0.

049), there was no difference between those who received prior hydroxyurea versus those who did not (p = 0.

67).

Conclusion : Duration of prior hydroxyurea had no impact on response or progression free survival, while patients regular on imatinib had statistically significant difference with respect to major