imatinib + pegylated interferon

Imatinib + pegylated interferon is a combination therapy consisting of the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib and the biologic agent pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN). Imatinib inhibits the BCR-ABL fusion protein tyrosine kinase that drives chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), while pegylated interferon alpha is an immunomodulatory cytokine with antiproliferative and immune-stimulating effects. This combination has been investigated primarily as front-line therapy for patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase CML. Clinical studies have shown that adding Peg-IFN to standard-dose imatinib increases major molecular response rates at 12 months compared to imatinib alone in low or intermediate Sokal risk CML patients. However, tolerability issues—mainly due to nonhematologic toxicity from Peg-IFN—have limited long-term use of this regimen[1][3][4][6].

Brand names

Gleevec + PegasysGlivec + Pegasys

Other names

imatinib + Peg-IFN-α2bimatinib + pegylated IFN-α2bimatinib mesylate + peginterferon alfa-2aSTI571 + PEG-IFN