Imatinib faces competition

Published: 2010-08-06

Two head-to-head trials involving chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) found patients responding better to dasatinib than imatinib after a year [1] and likewise better to nilotinib, also after a year [2].

At the end of the year, the rate of confirmed complete cytogenetic response was significantly higher among patients who received dasatinib rather than imatinib (77% vs 66%, p = 0.0067). The rates of complete cytogenetic response by 12 months were significantly higher for nilotinib (80% for a 300 mg dose and 78% for a 400 mg dose) than for imatinib (65%; p < 0.001 for both comparisons).

It is speculated that the competitors might be given first-line status in the near future, which might result in a choice being possible on grounds of cost or toxicity.

1. N Engl J Med. 2010;362:2260-70

2. N Engl J Med. 2010;362:2251-9