The effect of imatinib mesylate on patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia with secondary chromosomal aberrations.

PURPOSE AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The acquisition of secondary chromosomal aberrations in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) karyotype signifies clonal evolution associated with disease progression to accelerated/blastic phase. Therefore, these aberrations are of clinical and biological importance. We identified 58 cases with secondary abnormalities in addition to t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) or its variants in a review of 137 CML patients treated with imatinib mesylate (STI571). Clinically 13 patients were in chronic phase, 24 in accelerated phase, and 21 in blastic phase.

RESULTS

More than 50% of cases showed the major routes of CML clonal evolution [+8, i(17q), +Ph, and/or +19]. The remainder exhibited minor routes of secondary abnormalities with -17/17p-, 11p-/rearr(11p), and -7/rearr(7) as the most frequent abnormalities. Of particular interest, one case developed an inv(16)(p13q22) as a secondary anomaly during blastic transformation. The bone marrow was consistent with myelomonocytic morphology with eosinophilia. Cytogenetic responses to imatinib mesylate occurred in 15 of 58 (26%) patients; 12 achieved complete cytogenetic remission, 2 had a major response, and 1 had a minor response, with most responses noted within 3-6 months. Seven patients remain in remission >17-30 months, 2 patients relapsed between 12 and 19 months on therapy, and 1 patient was treated by bone marrow transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although some Ph+ CML patients with clonal evolution can have a complete cytogenetic response to imatinib mesylate, responses tend to be brief, and such patients may benefit from subsequent stem cell transplantation. Therefore, CML patients with clonal evolution may require therapy additional to imatinib mesylate for maximal eradication of the Ph+ leukemic cells.