a)18 to 65 years b)Newly diagnosed (≤ 3 months) Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic CP-CML c)Major BCR-ABL transcripts d)Not previously treated for CML except with hydroxyurea or anagrelide e)ECOG Performance Status≤ 2 f)Adequate Organ Function. i)Total bilirubin< 2.0 times the institutional Upper Limit of Normal ii)Hepatic enzymes(AST, ALT )≤ 2.5 ULN iii)Serum Na, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ > Lower Limit of Normal (LLN) or supplemented iv)Serum Creatinine< 1.5 ULN g)Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must be using an adequate method of contraception.