Strategies for overcoming imatinib mesylate resistance in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

摘要

Imatinib mesylate was approved for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia more than 5 years ago. This drug enabled us to put a very high percentage of patients into hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular remission. Some patients were resistant to Imatinib from the onset of the treatment whereas others became resistant after showing an initial response to Imatinib mesylate. Various strategies have been tried to overcome the resistance to this drug including using newer combinations, higher dosage of Imatinib and development of newer compounds. This article will discuss these strategies in detail.