Efficacy of Nilotinib versus Imatinib in Philadelphia Positive Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Early Chronic Phase Who Have a Warning Molecular Response to Imatinib

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) accounts for approximately 15% of newly diagnosed cases of leukemia in adults. In this study, the efficacy of nilotinib at 400 mg BID is compared with imatinib at 400 mg BID in CML patients with suboptimal molecular response after at least 12 months of daily dose 400 mg of imatinib therapy. Patients and Methods: This study included a total number of 50 patients, divided into two groups (25 patients each). The first group (Group I): Patients received imatinib at 400 mg BID, second group (Group II): Patients had a suboptimal molecular response to imatinib and received nilotinib at 400 mg BID in early chronic phase. During the two years period of data collection, the primary end included median survival. The secondary end included response rate, type of response, duration of response and progression free survival. Also side effects were recorded. Patients were followed up every month by complete and differential blood counts, liver function test, renal function test and (PCR) every three months for two year. Results: Nilotinib group had significantly higher frequency of major molecular response (MMR) where 23 (92%) patients achieved it while only 16 (64%) patients in Imatinib group achieved MMR (P = 0.01). Nilotinib had better toxicities profile than Imatinib. Conclusion: Both Nilotinib and high dose Imatinib achieved response in CML patients with suboptimal response with rapid and deeper molecular response, better survival outcomes and less side effects in nilotinib.