Chronic myeloid leukemia: state of the art in 2012

Curr Oncol Rep. 2012 Oct;14(5):379-86. doi: 10.1007/s11912-012-0253-9.

Abstract

The prognosis of Philadelphia positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been revolutionized since the discovery of the pathogenetic role of BCR-ABL and the invention of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). With a follow-up of 8 years, patients had an OS of 85 % and, with second generation TKIs, dasatinib and nilotinib, almost 50 % of the resistant patients gained a remission with an OS over 90 % at 2 years. Currently the challenge is preventing resistance leading to progression to advance phases that have still few chances of effective treatment. Another objective, derived from the needs of our patients, beside the pride of the scientist, is the discontinuation of the treatment. Second generations TKIs applied to the first line setting seem to be a good option either to avoid progression and to achieve deeper rates of molecular response, necessary for the cure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzamides
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dasatinib
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / mortality
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Thiazoles / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Thiazoles
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • nilotinib
  • Dasatinib