Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, including details on myalgic encephalomyelitis (me), diagnosis, gradual and sudden onset.

Dual inhibition of ras and bcr-abl signalling pathways in chronic myeloid leukaemia: a phase I/II study in patients in complete haematological remission.

Pavlu J, Andreasson C, Chuah C, Kaeda J, Goldman JM, Apperley JF, Marin D

Department of Haematology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, UK.

Zoledronic acid inhibits the prenylation of ras-related proteins downstream of bcr-abl and preclinical studies have shown augmentation of the inhibitory effects of imatinib in BCR-ABL expressing cells. A Phase I/II study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the addition of zoledronic acid to imatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) with a suboptimal response to imatinib alone. Ten patients with CML who had been treated with imatinib for at least 2 years and had achieved and maintained a complete haematological response were included. Zoledronic acid was administered intravenously on one occasion every 28 d. The initial dose of 4 mg was given for three consecutive months; in the absence of significant toxicity and/or response the dose was escalated to 8 mg for an additional 3 months. Efficacy was assessed by serial monitoring of blood levels of BCR-ABL transcripts and bone marrow cytogenetics. Addition of zoledronic acid to imatinib caused no haematological toxicity. There were no grade III or IV non-haematological adverse effects. Grade I fatigue, hypocalcaemia and fever were common side effects. No responses were demonstrated after 6 months on the combination.

Published 9 May 2007 in Br J Haematol, 137(5): 423-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.