Therapeutic progress and comparative aspects in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML): interferon alpha vs. hydroxyurea vs. busulfan and expression of MMTV-related endogenous retroviral sequences in CML. German CML Study Group

Leukemia. 1994 Apr:8 Suppl 1:S127-32.

Abstract

In summary, it can be expected that the availability of unrelated donors will increase the number of CML patients that can be treated curatively with allogeneic BMT. Hydroxyurea has replaced busulfan as first line treatment in CML since it prolongs survival. Ongoing randomized studies comparing IFN-based treatment regimens with standard chemotherapy or IFN-monotherapy probably will answer the question whether IFN can cure a small percentage of CML patients and whether this small percentage can be increased by additional chemotherapy. The present attempts to improve prognostic scores and to apply them to early treatment decisions will allow treatment adaptation more individually. The implications of endogenous retroviral sequences expressed in CML cells are not known now, but may be far reaching.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Busulfan / therapeutic use
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / microbiology
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / mortality
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy*
  • Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / isolation & purification*
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Interferon-alpha
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl
  • Busulfan
  • Hydroxyurea