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STIM Study Shows CML Complete Molecular Remission Possible to Maintain Following Imatinib Discontinuation

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STIM Study Shows CML Complete Molecular Remission Possible to Maintain Following Imatinib Discontinuation
Posting Date: December 13, 2008

Stop Imatinib (STIM) study: a prospective, multicenter study[1]
Summary of Key Conclusions
Complete molecular remission maintained in a substantial proportion of individuals with CML following imatinib discontinuation, particularly those pretreated with interferon
Trend toward greater likelihood of sustained molecular remission in interferon-treated group not statistically significant
Authors conclude that imatinib discontinuation feasible following sustained complete molecular remission, even among patients treated with imatinib monotherapy
Longer follow-up with larger number of patients needed to identify factors that influence durability of complete molecular remission
Background
Imatinib
Effective treatment for CML
Treatment continues for indefinite time period
Unclear whether imatinib can eliminate oncogenic CML clone, potentially allowing for discontinuation of treatment
Pilot study assessed imatinib discontinuation in patients with CML[2]
15 patients in molecular remission for > 2 years on imatinib followed
7 patients had molecular relapse during median follow-up of 38 months
8 patients maintained complete molecular remission
Many of these patients treated with interferon prior to receipt of imatinib
Median molecular relapse-free survival : 6 months
Current study assessed persistence of complete molecular remission in a larger cohort of CML patients discontinuing imatinib
Summary of Study Design
Patients enrolled at 22 centers in France beginning in July 2007

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References
1. Mahon FX, Huguet F, Guilhot F, et al. Is it possible to stop imatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia? An update from a French pilot study and first results from the multicentre “Stop Imatinib” (STIM) study. Program and abstracts of the 50th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition; December 6-9, 2008; San Francisco, California. Abstract 187.

2. Rousselot P, Huguet F, Rea D, et al. Imatinib mesylate discontinuation in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in complete molecular remission for more than 2 years. Blood. 2007;109:58-60.

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