Adherence to Imatinib in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Patients with ≤90% adherence to imatinib therapy were unlikely to achieve major molecular response or complete molecular remission.

Among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are treated with imatinib mesylate, achievement of complete cytogenetic response (CCR) is associated with improved survival, and achievement of major molecular response (MMR) confers additional clinical benefits. Investigators in Europe sought to assess whether adherence to once-daily oral imatinib treatment was associated with MMR (i.e., ≥3-log reduction in BCR-ABL1 transcript levels) and with complete molecular remission (CMR). They studied 87 patients with chronic-phase CML who had achieved CCR during treatment with imatinib (initial dose, 400 mg daily). All patients had received therapy for at least 2 years (median duration, 5 years). Adherence was >90% in 64 patients and ≤90% in 23…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee