Targeted therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib: A retrospective hospital-based study in Georgia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was the first oncological disease for which targeted therapy, specifically the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Imatinib, was introduced. This study aimed to evaluate clinical, laboratory, and cytogenetic outcomes in CML patients treated with Imatinib. A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted involving 219 patients at the LTD Medinvest Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology in Georgia, between 2003 and 2018. The analysis included clinical and laboratory parameters, cytogenetic responses, and survival outcomes. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used, with treatment responses assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months. During the study, 30 patients (13.7%) died. After three months of therapy, hematological indicators improved in all patients. At six months, 82.3% achieved cytogenetic improvement, increasing slightly to 83.5% after twelve months. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed higher survival rates among patients who started treatment during the chronic phase. No significant differences in treatment outcomes were observed between patients receiving 400 mg and 600 mg doses of Imatinib. Overall, Imatinib proved effective in managing CML, leading to improved hematological and cytogenetic responses and reducing mortality. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and prompt initiation of targeted therapy, especially in resource-limited healthcare settings.