Prolonged Busulfan-Induced Remissions in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

Two prolonged remissions were achieved in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia by two short courses of busulfan treatment. The first remission lasted for 7 years; the second one lasts already 14 years. In the interval periods no treatment was administered.

Survival of patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia relapsing after bone marrow transplantation: comparison with patients receiving conventional chemotherapy

“…This surprising anti-leukaemia efficacy in a disease incurable with non-transplant therapy (Golde & Champlin, 1985;Tura et al, 1986;Sokal et al, 1988;Kantarjian et al, 1993;Hehlman et al, 1993;Italian Cooperative Study Group on CML, 1994) is thought to result from intensive therapy and immunemediated anti-leukaemia effects (Apperley et al, 1988;Sullivan et al, 1989;Horowitz et al, 1990;Marmont et al, 1991;Marks et al, 1992;Gale et al, 1994). It contrasts with failure of intensive treatment to prolong survival in the nontransplant setting (Golde & Champlin, 1985;Tura et al, 1986;Kantarjian et al, 1993) except for occasional cases with prolonged remission after busulphan overdose (Benjamin et al, 1979;Singer et al, 1984;Sproul et al, 1990;Birnie et al, 1990;Price et al, 1990;Johansson et al, 1990).…”