Chronic myeloid leukemia: predictive value of sequential chromosomal surveys and their effect on survival.

A program has been initiated to evaluate the efficacy of intensive therapy based on sequential cytogenetic studies in patients diagnosed as having Ph1 positive chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). Eighteen patients have been induced into hematological remission with busulfan, splenectomized and treated with cycle active drugs. Maintenance therapy is continued during the benign chronic phase of the disease. Intervention with cycles of aggressive therapy is predicated on the results of chromosomal surveys of bone marrow aspirates. The results of this limited study suggest that survival can be improved by such a program.