RESUMO
To study the haematological response of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia [CML] to Imatinib [glivec/gleevec]. A prospective study. Medical ward/Haematological unit, Out-patient clinic in Ibn Seena Teaching Hospital, Mosul [April1998-2003].AH patients were subjected to full clinical, and laboratory evaluation and Imatinib 400mg/day. Fourteen patients with chronic phase interferon [IFN] failure or intolerance CML were included in the study. There were 6 males and 8 females. Age ranged between 17-70 years, their mean was 46.15 years. All are in chronic phase of CML, the duration of illness ranged between 2 months to 5 years with a mean of 3.4 years. 13 [92.86%] patients had complete haematological remission [normalization of white blood cell count, and spleen size] two to four weeks after Imatinib. All patients developed arthralgia and muscle cramps [100%], 10 had nausea [71.4%], 5 had periorbital oedema [35.7%] and 1 patient with myelosuppression [7.14%]. These are the adverse effect due to Imatinib. The haematological response to Imatinib is 92.86% of patients with chronic phase interferon-failure CML. Further study is recommended to evaluate the cytogenetic response [effect of Imatinib on Philadelphia chromosome]. Additional research should help determine the optima] role for Imatinib, whether it is alone, in combination with IFN and cytarabine, or as first line therapy for CML