EFFECT OF CHEMOTHERAPY ON PHILADELPHIA CHROMOSOME IN CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA (CML) PATIENTS

Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder as a result
of neoplastic transformation of the primitive hemopoetic cells. It is well known that
the Philadelphia chormosome (ph) is a specific abnormality found in 90% of CML
patients. It has been reported that interferon has better effect on disease control and
prognosis. Cytogenetic analysis of ph chromosome plays very important role in the
prognosis and monitoring of therapy. In this present study 35 diagnosed patients of
CML were considered, which included untreated patients of various age groups (2-62yrs). The cases were refered from haematology clinic of All India Institute of Medical
Sciences (AIIMS). Out of 35 patients only 13 patients were available after six month
of therapy for follow-up cytogenetic analysis. Out of 13 patient, 2 were ph negative, 8
were 100% ph positive and 3 were ph positive mosaic before therapy. Of the 3 mosaic
patients, 2 remained unchanged after therapy and one patient became 100% ph
negative. Though in general significant reduction in ph% by interferon therapy was
seen but minority patients showed complete cytogenetic remission

Key Words: Chronic myeloid leukemia, chemotherapy, Philadelphia chromosome.