Study Comparing Imatinib With Chemotherapy as Induction in Elderly Patients With Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patients * Age \> 55 years (biological age) * Diagnosis of Ph1 chromosome-positive ALL (pre-B, common- or pre-pre-B ALL) * Newly diagnosed, lymphoid blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia * Only pre-phase chemotherapy prior to study start * World Health Organization (WHO) status 0, 1 or 2 * Voluntary written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Creatinine levels more than 2 x the upper limit of normal (ULN) * Total serum bilirubin more than 1.5 x the ULN * AST (SGOT) or ALT (SGPT) more than 5 x the ULN * Any other prior antineoplastic treatment except for pre-phase chemotherapy * Active central nervous system (CNS) leukemia * New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade 3/4 cardiac disease * Active severe infection * Serious concomitant medical condition * Patients with a history of non-compliance to medical regimens