Treatment of patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia with interferon-alpha-2b and continuous oral cytarabine ocfosfate (YNK01): a pilot study

Abstract

The efficacy of continuous oral cytarabine ocfosfate (YNK01) (300 mg/day) in combination with interferon alpha (IFNalpha, 5x10(6) IU/day) was evaluated in patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia, who previously failed to respond to IFNalpha-based therapies. Dose escalations up to 900 mg YNK01 were allowed in patients who failed to respond. In view of our results, four patients developed a complete hematological response after YNK01 was started. Among those who initially responded to YNK01, one complete cytogenetic response was achieved 18 months later. Although the data are preliminary, this is the first study showing that continuous administration of YNK01 along with IFNalpha is effective in patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia.