Imatinib affords five-year survival of almost 90 pc in CML
The long-term success of imatinib (Glivec) treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) has been highlighted in a presentation of data from five-years' experience with the drug.
These newest data, presented last weekend at the American
Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, held in Atlanta, Georgia, suggest an
overall survival of 89.4 per cent at five years for patients with CML.
Furthermore, the data suggest that the annual rate of progression of
imatinib-treated CML patients to accelerated phase or blast crisis was
continuing to decrease (0.6 per cent for year 5 compared with 0.9 per
cent for year 4, or 1.6 per cent for year 3).
David Robb, critical care and oncology pharmacist at Addenbrooke’s
Hospital, Cambridge, commented: “The benefit seen in survival of
CML patients treated with imatinib has been positive and this new data
from ASCO is very welcome. Patients will welcome the ease of administration
and tolerability — 5 per cent discontinuation due to adverse events.”
However, Mr Robb said that much of the debate and focus must now shift
to the treatment of imatinib-resistant CML.
“It remains to be seen how many patients treated with imantinib
will develop future resistance, which would require alternative treatments.
Data beyond
five years’ treatment would provide even greater insight,” he
said. “Presently there are a few agents in development for chronic,
accelerated and blastic phases of the disease but nothing is licensed
as yet. There are not nearly enough weapons in our armoury against CML.” |
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