Abstract
Clinical phase I/II studies with the Abl kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate (Gleevec/Glivec, formerly STI571) for the treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) demonstrated the safety and the remarkable efficacy of this molecularly targeted agent. However, a significant proportion of patients treated in the chronic phase of the disease after having failed interferon alpha (IFN) remain predominantly Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+), suggesting a risk of later relapses. Furthermore, results in blast crisis patients revealed a high frequency of relapses or resistance to imatinib. To circumvent resistance, improve response rates, or prolong survival, pre-clinical evaluations of combinations of imatinib with other agents have been pursued. Some of these have already been translated into clinical studies. Here, we first summarize evidence from pre-clinical studies on new combination regimens with imatinib in the treatment of CML. Second, we analyze preliminary clinical data of ongoing combination studies. Finally, we provide a summary of approaches that use novel antileukemic agents with molecularly characterized modes of action.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1213-1219 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Leukemia |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2002 |
Keywords
- CML
- Combination therapy
- Imatinib mesylate
- ST1571
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research