Sustained upregulation of effector natural killer cells in chronic myeloid leukemia after discontinuation of imatinib

• DOI: 10.1111/cas.12216
• Publication Date: 2013-06-12T13:27:12Z
• Authors: Izuru Mizoguchi; Takayuki Yoshimoto; Seiichiro Katagiri; Junichiro Mizuguchi; Tetsuzo Tauchi; Yukihiko Kimura; Koiti Inokuchi; Junko H. Ohyashiki; Kazuma Ohyashiki
• Keywords: Discontinuation

A number of CML patients who achieve a sustained complete molecular response (CMR) for at least 2 years during imatinib (IM) therapy can discontinue IM without relapse. With the long-term goal developing immunological criteria managing in patients, we compared immunophenotypic profiles three groups patients: those received and had CMR more than two consecutive (CMR group); did not have but maintained major (fluctuating with 6 months after discontinuation (STOP-IM group), together healthy controls. The percentages effector populations natural killer (NK) cells, such as interferon (IFN)-γ(+) CD3(-) CD56(+) were significantly higher STOP-IM fluctuating control groups. elevated levels these NK cells 3 discontinuation. In contrast, memory CD8(+) T IFN-γ(+) CCR7(-) CD45RO(+) groups, possibly owing to intake. These results suggest that activation status contributes maintenance. Higher being treated might reflect minimization BCR-ABL1 transcript therefore could be additive information determining whether stop IM.