The treatment of @entity1 with @entity1860 ( @entity1860 ) is evolving rapidly. With conventional chemotherapy the clinical course is characterized by a chronic phase (median duration, 4 to 5 years), followed by an accelerated phase with transition to a @entity9638 . Treatment with @entity1863 or @entity1862 does not alter the natural history. Interferon alfa ( @entity3027 ) prolongs life expectancy by approximately 20 months but is associated with significant @entity137 . Evidence indicates that bone marrow transplantation from a related human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical donor can be curative in younger @entity1 . However, transplantation is available to only a minority of @entity1 and entails severe @entity137 and transplant-related mortality. Dramatic advances in the understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of @entity1860 have led to a new era of targeted therapy. The specific @entity669 kinase inhibitor @entity2213 demonstrates a high level of efficacy in @entity1860 with acceptable @entity137 . Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are another important class of targeted agents with the potential to act at multiple sites within dysregulated signal transduction networks. ZARNESTRA (formerly @entity8202 , Ortho Biotech Oncology, Raritan, NJ), an oral FTI, has shown activity and is well tolerated in both chronic- and accelerated-phase @entity1 . With their mechanistic specificity, the new modalities offer the promise of increased antileukemic activity and an improved therapeutic index.

XXXX : current therapies and the potential role of farnesyltransferase inhibitors.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity137 :: ('MESH:D064420', 'Disease') :: ['toxicity'] @entity1862 :: ('MESH:D006918', 'Chemical') :: ['hydroxyurea'] @entity8202 :: ('MESH:C402769', 'Chemical') :: ['R115777'] @entity9638 :: ('MESH:D001752', 'Disease') :: ['terminal blast crisis'] @entity1863 :: ('MESH:D002066', 'Chemical') :: ['busulfan'] @entity669 :: ('CHEBI:18186', 'Chemical') :: ['tyrosine'] @entity1860 :: ('MESH:D015464', 'Disease') :: ['CML', 'chronic myeloid leukemia'] @entity3027 :: ('3439', 'Gene') :: ['IFN-alpha'] @entity2213 :: ('MESH:C097613', 'Chemical') :: ['imatinib mesylate']
@entity1860 :: (MESH:D015464,Disease) :: ['Chronic myeloid leukemia']
