Chronic myelogenous leukemia in T cell lymphoid blastic phase achieving durable complete cytogenetic and molecular remission with imatinib mesylate (STI571; Gleevec) therapy.

BACKGROUND: A T cell lymphoid blastic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a rare occurrence, with only a few reported cases worldwide. Standard therapy for such patients is undetermined. Imatinib mesylate, a Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown activity in CML.
METHODS: The authors report on a patient with CML and marrow as well as extramedullary nodal T cell lymphoid blastic phase who was treated with imatinib mesylate.
RESULTS: The patient achieved complete morphologic and cytogenetic remission within two months of therapy. Competitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of marrow cells was negative after 15 months. Response had lasted for 26+ months at the time of writing.
CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that imatinib mesylate may produce long-term event free survival in patients with T-cell lymphoid blastic phase CML. Its potential role alone or in combinations should be further explored in this condition. Copyright 2002 American Cancer Society.