Imatinib second line – pro
In the IRIS study, newly diagnosed chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients who crossed over from interferon (IFN)-alfa plus cytarabine (ara-C) to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) and achieved a complete cytogenetic response (CCR = elimination of Ph+ cells), had reductions in
bcr-abl similar to those on first-line imatinib, according to a presentation at
the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH abstract
635). Kotas showed the 2nd line imatinib is effective. Second line imatinib is effective after interferon based therapy.
Although Kotas mentinon plans for a clinical trial of 2nd line imatinib, I could not find that it has ever been started. From the studies available, there is sufficient clinical evidence regarding the effectiveness of this drug for this indication as published in the authoritative, peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature
Francis J. Giles et al, Nilotinib Therapy after Dasatinib Failure in Patients with Imatinib-Resistant or -Intolerant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in Chronic Phase (CP), Accelerated Phase (AP) or Blast Crisis (BC). Blood Volume 110, Issue 11 November 16 2007
V. K. Kotas et al, Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Following an Elective Switch From Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor to Imatinib. Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia Volume 17, Issue 12, December 2017, Pages e71-e73