Phase II trial of HyperCVAD and Dasatinib in patients with relapsed Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia or blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia

Dasatinib is a second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with activity in imatinib resistant Ph‐positive ALL. We have treated 34 patients with relapsed Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 19) or lymphoid blast phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML‐LB) (n = 15) with the combination of dasatinib and the hyperCVAD regimen. Prior regimens included hyperCVAD plus imatinib (n = 11, 4 had transplant in first CR), other combination chemotherapy (n = 12), monotherapy with kinase inhibitors other than dasatinib (n = 9), and investigational agents (n = 2). Pretreatment ABL mutations were noted in 10 patients. The overall response rate was 91%, with 24 patients (71%) achieving complete response (CR), and 7(21%) CR with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp). Two patients died during induction and one had progressive disease. Twenty‐six patients (84%) achieved complete cytogenetic remission after one cycle of therapy. Overall, 13 patients (42%) achieved complete molecular response, and 11 patients (35%) had major molecular response (BCR‐ABL/ABL<0.1%). Nine patients proceeded to allogeneic transplantation. Grades 3 and 4 toxicities included hemorrhage, pleural and pericardial effusions and infections. The median follow‐up for patients with CML‐LB is 37.5 months (range, 7–70 months) with a 3‐year overall survival of 70%; 68% remained in CR at 3 years. For ALL patients, the median follow‐up is 52 months (range, 45–59 months) with a 3‐year survival of 26%; 30% remain in CR at 3 years. The combination of HyperCVAD regimen with dasatinib is effective in patients with relapsed Ph‐positive ALL and CML‐LB. Am. J. Hematol. 89:282–287, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.