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± 4.1% and 40.2 ± 4.9%, respectively, in the IFN-α group (P = 0.0021). Figure 2 Overall Survival (A) and Progression-free Survival (B) for CML-CP Patients by Treatment Regimen. Imatinib Treatment Among the total 229 patients treated with imatinib, p38 MAPK phosphorylation 12 received the regimen for less than three months: five patients due to economic issues, five due to transplantation, and two due to adverse events. Among the total 217 evaluable patients, 114 received imatinib treatment as learn more Primary therapy and 103 had failed previous IFN-α treatment. The median time from diagnosis to imatinib treatment was 28 (4-65) months in the IFN-α failure group. Treatment efficacy (Table 3), OS and PFS (Figure 3) of imatinib were evaluated based on the stage of the disease. With the median treatment time of 18 months (range 4-61), the rates of CHR, MCyR, and CCyR were significantly higher in CP patients than those in AP and BC patients. Imatinib treatment as primary therapy was more efficient than those in patients who had failed IFN-α. Estimated three-year OS rate and PFS rate were 92.2 ± 3.4% and 85.8 ± 4.3%, respectively, in patients with CML-CP who received

imatinib as primary therapy; 81.3 ± 5.4% and 68.7 ± 6.3%, respectively, in CML-CP patients check details who had failed IFN-α; 46.8 ± 13.0% and 39.8 ± 13.2%, respectively, in AP patients and 19.6 ± 7.4% and 10.1 ± 6.5%, respectively, in BC patients (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively, for OS and PFS). Figure 3 Overall Survival (A) and Progression-free Survival (B) Among Patients Treated with Imatinib by Disease Stage. Table 3 Efficacy Evaluation of Imatinib in CML Patients by Disease Stage   CP AP BC P value   Primary n = 84(%) IFN Failure n = 70(%) n = 25(%) n = 38(%)   CHR 80(95.2) 62(88.6) 18(72.0) 18(47.4) <0.0001 MCyR 71(84.5) 45(64.3) 8(32.0) 7(18.4) <0.0001 CCyR 62(73.8) 37(52.9) 6(24.0) 4(10.5) <0.0001 Adverse Events The primary side effects reported with IFN-α (+Ara-C) 17-DMAG (Alvespimycin) HCl included fever and myalgia. A total of 25 patients (12.3%) withdrew due to grade 3 to 4 side effect. However, only two patients discontinued imatinib treatment due to

intolerance (depression of bone marrow and edema), both of whom were AP and BC patients. The most common non-hematologic adverse events reported with imatinib were moderate (grade 1 or 2) nausea and vomiting (58.3%), edema (68.9%), myalgia (30%), and rash (8.2%). Grade 3/4 hematologic depression of bone marrow was reported in 17.8% of the patients. Discussion The treatment of CML has undergone dramatic progress in recent years. Primary CML patients residing in Shanghai were reviewed retrospectively from 2001 to 2006, with the aim to improve the diagnosis and treatment for CML in Shanghai and to benefit the large number of patients afflicted. The number of new patients arising in Shanghai increased from 2001 to 2006. The demographic profile of CML patients in our population was similar to that described in other studies; CML mainly afflicted those 40-60 years old (47.