Imatinib mesylate in chronic myelogenous leukemia: a Congolese experience

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder caused by reciprocal translocation t(9;22) that induces tyrosin kinase protein. Imatinib is a selective inhibitor of this protein. Objectives: To assess responses to imatinib and outcome of Congolese patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia. Design: retrospective study. Settings: Clinical Haematology unit of Teaching Hospital in Brazzaville, Congo Subjects: Newly diagnosed patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia treated with imatinib. Results: A total of 25 males and 14 females with a mean age of 36 years at time of the diagnosis were enrolled in the study. The mean duration of the illness was 11.4 months. Imatinib induced complete hematologic response at 3 months in 100%. Major cytogenetic response was noticed in 87.18%. After a median follow up of 12 months, chronic myeloid leukemia had not progressed to the accelerated or blastic phase in an estimated 91.8% of patients and 86.6% were alive. Conclusion: Imatinib is effective in newly chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patient even though cytogenetic response rate are lower in Africa than western countries populations