ABSTRACT
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, accounts for about 15% of all adult leukemia. The breakpoint cluster region (BCR)-ABL fusion gene encodes the BCR-ABL hybrid protein, and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of CML. The BCR-ABL protein is essential for initiation, maintenance, and progression of CML. The tyrosine kinase encoded by the SH1 motif of the BCR-ABL gene plays a most important role for the oncogenic transformation. The most common non-hematological adverse events associated with imatinib were superficial edema, nausea, muscle cramps, and rashes. In general, these minor events respond to early intervention. The primary hematological resistance is a failure to achieve hematologic remission within 3 to 6 months of initiation of treatment, whereas primary cytogenetic resistance is the failure to achieve any level of cytogenetic response at 6 months, major cytogenetic response at 12 months or complete cytogenetic response at 18 months.
