ABL-BCR expression does not correlate with deletions on the derivative chromosome 9 or survival in chronic myeloid leukemia

Hydroxyurea (HU) has been used for more than 10 years in children severely affected with sickle cell disease (SCD) to reduce the number of painful episodes. Short- to medium-term tolerance of the drug is good.1-3 Concern remains, however, about the long-term safety of the drug and, in particular, its leukemogenic potential. Leukemia has been reported in myelodysplastic syndromes after at least 3 to 4 years of exposure to the drug,4-5 so only long-term studies including significant numbers of patients can resolve concern for SCD. So far, 3 studies on long-term effects of HU in SCD children have been published (Table 1).6-8