New CML Drug .com

Hello Everyone,

This paper highlights the results of a study that was done combining Peg IFN with Gleevec. There were 56 patients in two arms - one arm patients received just Gleevec the other arm patients received Gleevec with Peg IFN. The patients had low Sokal risk scores or intermediate risk scores none we considered high risk by the Sokal score.

The primary endpoint was the major molecular response (MMR) rate at 12 months after randomization.

In both arms 4 patients stopped the use of Imatinib - one patient stopped because of blastic transformation (this was in the Imatinib only arm). However, 34 patients in the Imatinib Peg Ifn arm discontinued Peg IFN because of Toxicity.

The MMR rate in the Combination arm (Imatinib + Peg IFN) was significantly higher at 12 months - 82% versus 54% in the imatinib only arm.

The MMR rate did get better over time in the combination group (Imatinib + Peg IFN) but interestingly even with just shorter doses of Peg IFN at 12 weeks the MMR rate was already at 67% for the combination arm.

This is important because we all know that not everyone can tolerate Peg IFN, but this paper paves the way for doctors to explore even lower doses of Peg IFN that would significantly decrease toxic side effects but still confer a significant benefit in allowing more patients to achieve MMR and hopefully CMR.

The abstract ends on a very positive note: "Lower doses of Peg–IFN-α2b may enhance tolerability while retaining efficacy and could be considered in future protocols with curative intent."

bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/conte...2/3228.abstract?etoc

Cheers!
Cheryl-Anne