Treatment of Philadelphia-Positive Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) in the Elderly With Imatinib Mesylate (STI571) and Chemotherapy.
Treatment of Philadelphia-Positive Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) in the Elderly With Imatinib Mesylate (STI571) and Chemotherapy.
ALL patients aged 55 years or older were treated with steroids during one week and Ph+ve
 cases were then offered a specific therapy including an induction treatment with steroids,
 cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin and vincristine, followed, irrespective of response to
 induction chemotherapy, by imatinib, 600 mg daily, combined with intermittent steroids during
 2 months. Patients in complete response (CR) were then given 10 blocks of alternating
 chemotherapy, including 2 additional two-month blocks of imatinib, for a total treatment
 duration of 2 years. Therapy of occult central nervous system leukemia included 5 intrathecal
 injections of methotrexate and cranial irradiation.

 Duration of therapy : 2 years.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Ph+ ALL patients

 -  55 years or older

 -  Signed written informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  CML in transformation

 -  Concomitant malignancy

 -  Previous treatment by Imatinib

 -  Severe organ condition