Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of dasatinib and imatinib in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP).
Methods: 37 CML-CP patients were randomized to receive dasatinib 100 mg orally daily or imatinib 400 mg orally daily. The efficacy and safety data were collected and compared.
Results: Of 37 CML-CP patients, 18 received dasatinib and 19 received imatinib. The both of median duration of drug therapy and follow-up were 38 months. (1) The rate of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) at 12 months was higher in dasatinib group than in imatinib group (89% vs 68%), but there was no significantly statistic significance between two groups (P = 0.232). The cumulative CCyR rate by 36 months was 89% in both arms. The major molecular response (MMR) at 18 months was 76% in dasatinib arm, being significantly higher than that in imatinib arm (37%) (P = 0.017). The cumulative MMR rate by 36 months was 82% versus 68% in dasatinib or imatinib (P = 0.694). The median time to CCyR and MMR was significantly faster for dasatinib than for imatinib (3 months vs. 6 months, and 14 months vs. 34 months, respectively). (2) The drug-related adverse events were mostly grade 1/2 and were well-tolerated. Increase of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, pleural effusion and thrombocytopenia were more common in dasatinib arm, while hypophosphatemia, edema and neutropenia were more common in imatinib arm.
Conclusion: Dasatinib is an effective and safe therapy option and can be used as first-line therapy for newly diagnosed CML-CP patients.