Marked reduction of BCR-ABL fusion chromosome positive cells with interferon therapy combined with short-term imatinib in chronic myelogenous leukemia

A 71-year-old man with chronic myelogenous leukemia received interferon therapy for 21 months, but did not have complete cytogenetic response. Imatinib was then added to the former therapy. Imatinib was prescribed for only 12 days and discontinued because of severe erythema. Since then, however, marked reduction of bcr-abl fusion chromosome positive cells was observed, and this state has been maintained to the present day even though treatment has consisted only of interferon. we discuss efficacy of the combined therapy, composed of interferon and imatinib, for chronic myelogenous leukemia and other bcr-abl fusion chromosome positive diseases.