Imatinib as Initial Therapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: 10 Years On

In the landmark, randomized, phase III IRIS (International Randomized Study of Interferon and STI571) trial, 1106 patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) were randomized to initial therapy with either imatinib or interferon alfa plus low-dose cytarabine. At a median follow-up of 5 years, 98% of imatinib recipients achieved complete hematologic responses, and 87% achieved complete cytogenetic responses (NEJM JW Oncol Hematol Jan 2007 and N Engl J Med 2006; 355:2408).

Now, at a median follow-up of 10.9 years, the IRIS investigators report the following efficacy and safety outcomes:

• 66% of interferon recipients crossed over to imatinib due to disease progression or adverse effects.

• The 10-year event-free and overall survival ra…