A Combination of Imatinib Mesylate and Pegylate Interferon a2a in Chronic-phase CML
The goal of this study is to determine whether the addition of the drug pegylated interferon-a2a in combination with imatinib mesylate will allow the imatinib to target and kill the leukemic stem cells, hopefully putting the leukemia in remission without the need for continuous treatment.
Study Type: Interventional
Age/Sex Requirements: 18 years+ (None)
Sponsor: University of Michigan Cancer Center
Purpose: Imatinib mesylate is the standard first-line therapy for CML, controlling leukemia in a majority of patients by blocking the tyrosine kinase enzyme. However, imatinib mesylate does not kill the leukemic stem cells, and as a result is not curative. The goal of this study is to determine whether the addition of the drug pegylated interferon-a2a in combination with imatinib mesylate will allow the imatinib to target and kill the leukemic stem cells, hopefully putting the leukemia in remission without the need for continuous treatment.
