Table 1.

Characteristics of the Study Group (n=368)

Characteristic	Category	No (%); or median (range)
Age (years)	≥60; median	121(33) 54 (21-82)
Splenomegaly	Present	52/366 (14)
Hemoglobin (g/dl)	< 12; median	149 (41) 12.3 (7.3 – 16.9)
WBC (×109/1)	> 50; median	38 (10) 9.1 (1.8 – 240.5)
Platelets (×109/l)	> 450; median	72 (20) 241 (81-1116)
% marrow blasts	≥ 5	33 (9)
Peripheral blasts	Present	67 (18)
% marrow basophils	≥ 5	44 (12)
% peripheral basophils	≥ 7	36 (10)
Cytogenetic clonal evolution	Yes	66 / 368 (18)
Duration of chronic phase (mos)	< 12	36 (10)
	12-35	163 (44)
	≥ 36	169 (46)
% Philadelphia-positive pretreatment	< 90	94 (26)
Interferon alpha failure	Hematologic	47 (13)
	Cytogenetic	171 (46)
	Intolerance	148 (40)