Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) is a useful agent in the salvage treatment of adults with relapsed/refractory Philadelphia positive acute leukemias

Abstract

Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute leukemias have a markedly poor prognosis when treated with conventional chemotherapy alone. Even with intensive treatment such as allogeneic transplant, a large proportion of patients relapse. We describe here four cases of relapsed/refractory Ph+ acute leukemias who were treated with Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) as monotherapy. Significant clinical and molecular responses were observed in these patients, which allowed us to deliver highly intensive treatments such as second allogeneic stem cell transplant and matched unrelated transplant in these patients. Gleevec may prove to be a useful agent in the salvage therapy of such patients.