Efficacy of imatinib maintenance after stem cell transplantation for Ph+/BCR::ABL1 positive ALL: long-term outcome of a randomized trial and impact of peritransplant minimal residual disease

Pfeifer, Heike, Bethge, Wolfgang, Schönland, Stefan, Heberling, Lisa, Ruhnke, Leo and Ottmann, Oliver G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9559-1330 2026. Efficacy of imatinib maintenance after stem cell transplantation for Ph+/BCR::ABL1 positive ALL: long-term outcome of a randomized trial and impact of peritransplant minimal residual disease. Leukemia & lymphoma/Leukemia and lymphoma 10.1080/10428194.2026.2707442

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Abstract

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are recommended as maintenance therapy following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but optimal medication, dose, and duration remain a subject of ongoing study. We provide the final analysis of a prospective randomized trial comparing prophylactic and minimal residual disease (MRD)-triggered imatinib maintenance. The two patient cohorts did not differ significantly in terms of cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR; 14% vs. 18%), non-relapse mortality (NRM; 12% vs. 11%), leukemia-free survival (LFS) 64% vs. 69%, and overall survival (OS) at 10 years (68% vs. 71%). Endpoints were assessed every 6 weeks within the trial from 4 weeks after SCT until EOS at week 55 and after that according to local standards. In summary, this provides a framework for MRD-based treatment of patients for maintenance after HSCT with excellent long-term outcome after 10 years in both groups.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Additional Information:	Full list of authors available: https://doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2026.2707442
ISSN:	1026-8022
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	13 August 2026
Date of Acceptance:	17 July 2026
Last Modified:	13 Aug 2026 14:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188976

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