Six-Year Follow Up of Imatinib Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Iranian Patients

The present study reported a six-year follow up of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who were on imatinib therapy. We performed a retrospective study on a total of 417 patients diagnosed with chronic-phase, Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia within six months before study entry. Patients were eligible for the study if they were between 18 and 70 years of age. Enrolled patients were treated at an initial dose of 400 mg of imatinib. The mean age of 417 patients was 40.9±14.5 years; 220 (52%) were men and 197 (47.2%) were women. Complete hematologic response at three months occurred in 99% of patients, 221 (53%) before four weeks and 196 (47%) after four weeks. Adverse events occurred in 17 (4.1%) of patients, relapse in 46 (11%) and death in 31 (7.4%) of our studied population. At 72 months, the estimated rate of overall survival rate was 89%. Our findings showed the efficacy and safety of imatinib mesylate among Iranian patients with chronic myeloid leukemia by hematological and molecular response.