Safety and Efficacy of Imatinib in Chronic Myelogenous Patients Older Than 70 Years

Inclusion Criteria: * CML Ph+ (assessed by cytogenetic or FISH) * Chronic phase with less than 5% bone marrow blasts * Diagnosis within 12 months * Age ≥ 70 year at inclusion * PS grade 0 to 2 (ECOG) * Mini mental status more than 25 * Hydroxyurea optional before Imatinib * Adequate end organ function, defined as the following: total bilirubin \<1.5x uln, sgpt \<3x uln, creatinine \<1.5x uln. Exclusion Criteria: * patients who cannot sign an informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study in keeping with the policies of the hospital * Mini mental status ≤ 25 * patients who are not able to adequately take the study drug * Age less than 70 y * accelerated or blastic phase * previous therapy with imatinib or interferon * HIV positivity