High-Dose Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec^®) for CML

Synopsis:

Imatinib was administered to newly diagnosed patients with chronic-phase myelogenous leukemia at a dose (800 mg daily) double what is commonly prescribed. Cytogenetic and molecular responses were significantly better than observed in an historical cohort of similar patients treated with 400 mg daily. Furthermore, although toxicity was greater, the dose was maintained in nearly two-thirds of the patients. Additional research is needed, but higher-dose imatinib may offer a better chance for long survival and even cure for some patients with this disease.