How Should a Suboptimal Response to Imatinib Be Defined?
This is becoming perhaps the key question in imatinib therapy at present as it is likely to become the major determinant of which patients proceed to allografting, a much riskier therapy than taking imatinib but one with the potential to cure. An analysis of data from the IRIS0106 study presented at the ASH 2003 meeting has proven very useful in attempting to predict, based on early cytogenetic response, which patients are likely to achieve a complete cytogenetic response (CCR) over time. These data are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 (see Color Figures, page 515 516) and indicate that (1) the achievement of CCR is important in avoiding disease progression; (2) achievement of CCR is beneficial no matter how long it takes to get there; (3) a patient is unlikely to achieve CCR if they have not achieved any significant cytogenetic response by 6 months; and (4) a patient is unlikely to achieve CCR if they have not achieved a major cytogenetic response by 12 months. Other studies have also s
