Imatinib Treatment of Philadelphia Positive (Ph+) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). For Late Chronic Phase Patients Who Achieve a Complete Cytogenetic Response 5-Year Survival Is as High as for Early Chronic Phase Patients.

Background: Imatinib (IM) is the drug of choice for the treatment of Ph+ CML, where a complete cytogenetic response (CCgR) is achieved in more than 80% of early chronic phase (ECP) patients, with a 5-year survival of 90% (Simonsson B, Blood 2005). In the patients who initiated the treatment in late chronic phase (LCP) the response rate is lower and the long-term effect on survival is not yet determined.