Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

FTY720 induces apoptosis of M2 subtype acute myeloid leukemia cells by targeting sphingolipid metabolism and increasing endogenous ceramide levels

International Conference on Hematology & Blood Disorders

September 23-25, 2013 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at RTP, NC, USA

Keqin Kathy Li

Accepted Abstracts: J Blood Disord Transfus

Abstract:

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QL) as well as the frequency and severity of depression in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) in relation to the duration of imatinib mesylate (IMA) treatment. Methods: A detailed analysis of 56 adult patients with CP CML divided into groups according to the length of imatinib treatment was performed as follows: Group A (n=28) ? patients treated for 15 months (median); and Group B (n=28) ? patients treated for 50 months (median). Results: The results from the QL questionnaires found a trend in the improvement in the QL of patients treated with imatinib for 50 months (median) compared to patients treated for 15 months (median) only. However, a statistically significant improvement in the QL of patients with longer imatinib treatment was found only in patients without co-existing invalidity and/or rheumatic disease. Moreover, these two comorbidities increased the level of depressive symptoms in patients with CML during the early period of imatinib therapy. Conclusion: We found a trend in the improvement in the QL of patients with CML in relation to the duration of IMA therapy.