Introduction of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors may reduce the prognostic impact of high-risk patients, according to the European treatment and outcome study (EUTOS) score

Clinical management of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase, focusing on age and dose effects

ABL1-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are an established treatment choice for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP). However, effects of TKI dose modification have not been well investigated. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 178 patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP who were treated with dasatinib or nilotinib, focusing on age and dose effects. Efficacy as measured by cumulative major molecular response (MMR) and molecular response 4.5 rates did not differ significantly between the younger group and elderly group. Elderly patients who started nilotinib at a reduced dose had similar or better efficacy outcomes (including cumulative MMR and continuation ratios) than other groups, and elderly patients who started dasatinib at a reduced dose had the lowest MMR ratio and longest MMR duration. Effects of dose modification based on age and TKI selection can be attributed to flexible management of TKI therapy in real-world practice, but further studies are required to validate the findings of this study.

Outcomes of adolescents and young adults with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have reported the outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML-CP) on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the clinical features, treatment response, and long-term outcomes of 42 AYA patients, in comparison to older patients. The initial therapies of AYA patients between 2001 and 2016 included imatinib (n = 24), dasatinib (n = 13) and nilotinib (n = 5).

RESULTS

In AYA patients, the peripheral blood (PB) white blood cell count and percentage of blasts at the diagnosis were significantly higher, haemoglobin levels were lower and the spleen size was larger. The major molecular response (MMR), event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were comparable. A sub-analysis comparing imatinib to second-generation TKIs as the initial therapy also showed that their prognosis was comparable.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion, the tumour burden at the diagnosis of CML-CP is higher in AYA patients; however, their prognosis was not worse in comparison to older patients treated with TKIs. KEY MESSAGESFew studies have reported the outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML-CP) on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This study showed the tumour burden at the diagnosis of CML-CP is higher in AYA pa tients; however, their prognosis was not worse in comparison to older patients treated with TKIs. Understanding the biological and non-biological features of AYA patients with CML-CP on TKI therapy is essential for better management and to improve the outcomes.

Measuring prognosis in chronic myeloid leukemia: what's new?

Introduction: The outcome of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in chronic phase has changed after the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The life expectancy is actually similar to that of the general population. Prognostic stratification at baseline is part of a patient-centered approach to decide the best therapeutic approach.Areas covered: In this review, the current prognostic factors examined at baseline are detailed and the meaning is explained. A broad research on Medline, Embase and archives from EHA and ASH congresses, was performed. Prognostic factors have been divided into patient-related (age, gender, comorbidities, etc.) and disease-related (additional cytogenetic abnormalities, type of transcript, etc). New information about genomic data and the potential role of patient-reported outcomes is also discussed.Expert Opinion: Prognostic factors at baseline should be considered to evaluate the long-term probability of disease-related death, the possible toxicity, and the projected long-term overall survival. The genomic assessment would provide the basis for a genomic-based risk and help in oriented decision-making process.

The EUTOS long-term survival score predicts disease-specific mortality and molecular responses among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in a practice-based cohort

The European Treatment and Outcome Study (EUTOS) long‐term survival (ELTS) score predicts disease‐specific death in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) being treated with imatinib during the chronic phase (CP) of the disease. However, it is unclear whether the ELTS score predicts CML‐related events or treatment responses. This study evaluated the predictive value of the ELTS score regarding prognosis and treatment response in patients with CML‐CP. Clinical data were retrospectively obtained from patients enrolled in the CML Cooperative Study Group (CML‐CSG), which included patients diagnosed with CML‐CP from April 2001 to January 2016, and treated with any tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as first‐line therapy. Among 342 eligible patients, the ELTS scores indicated low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk in 74%, 21%, and 5% of patients, respectively. Patients with high ELTS scores had significantly higher disease‐specific mortality and worse event‐free survival, progression‐free survival, and overall survival. Among four risk scores, including the Sokal, Hasford, EUTOS, and ELTS scores, risk stratification by the ELTS score had the highest predictive value in assessing patient prognosis, and also in treatment responses. In fact, the EUTOS and ELTS scores were able to predict the major molecular response within 12 months. Most importantly, the ELTS score was the only scoring system that predicted deep molecular response at any time, regardless of risk level (65.0%, 43.7%, and 23.5% in low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups, respectively). Compared to other risk scores, the ELTS score was the most sensitive risk classification tool for the four endpoints of interest in this study, as well as molecular responses in patients with CML‐CP.

Outcomes of Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia after Treatment with Multiple Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

We sought to evaluate the outcomes of chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in an era where five tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are commercially available for the treatment of CML. Records of patients diagnosed with CP CML, treated with TKIs and referred to our center were reviewed. Between January 2005 and April 2016, 206 patients were followed for a median of 48.8 (1.4–190.1) months. A total of 76 (37%) patients received one TKI, 73 (35%) received two TKIs and 57 (28%) were exposed to >3 TKIs (3 TKIs, n = 33; 4 TKIs, n = 17; 5 TKIs, n = 7). Nineteen (9.2%) patients progressed to advanced phases of CML (accelerated phase, n = 6; myeloid blastic phase, n = 4; lymphoid blastic phase, n = 9). One third (n = 69) achieved complete molecular response (CMR) at first-line treatment. An additional 55 patients achieved CMR after second-line treatment. Twenty-five patients (12.1%) attempted TKI discontinuation and 14 (6.8%) stopped TKIs for a median of 6.3 months (range 1–53.4). The 10-year progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates were 81% and 87%, respectively. OS after 10-years, based on TKI exposure, was 100% (1 TKI), 82% (2 TKIs), 87% (3 TKIs), 75% (4 TKIs) and 55% (5 TKIs). The best OS was observed in patients tolerating and responding to first line TKI, but multiple TKIs led patients to gain treatment-free remission.

Comparison of the clinical outcomes of nilotinib and dasatinib therapies in newly diagnosed patients in the chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia: a retrospective analysis

Treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is the standard of care for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The new-generation TKIs, nilotinib and dasatinib, are found to have deeper and faster treatment response rates compared to imatinib in the first-line setting. However, a direct comparison between nilotinib and dasatinib has never been reported previously. Our study aims to compare the outcomes and molecular responses achieved following the first-line use of these two agents in patients with CML-CP. The database of the CML Cooperative Study Group was reviewed and patients with CML in the chronic phase (CP) who were given nilotinib or dasatinib as first-line therapy were identified. Out of 361 patients with CML-CP enrolled in our database, 58 and 63 had been treated with conventional doses of nilotinib (300 mg twice daily) and dasatinib (100 mg once daily), respectively, as first-line therapy. The patient demographics did not show significant differences between the groups. The event-free survival rates did not differ between these two groups. The major molecular response (MMR) and the deep molecular response (DMR) rates by 6, 12, 18, and 24 months did not differ between groups. Among the three scoring systems, only the Hasford score could predict the achievement of DMR, and all of them failed to predict the achievement of MMR in the entire cohort. Our data suggest that both nilotinib and dasatinib have comparable efficacies and promising outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of nilotinib therapy in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase

ABL1-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have led to dramatic changes in treatment strategies for chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP). However, clinical studies have highlighted increasing numbers of adverse events (AE) with TKIs. Although TKI modification plays a key role in AE management, this process is poorly understood, particularly in terms of the TKI nilotinib. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed the records of 70 patients with newly diagnosed (ND)-CML-CP who were treated with nilotinib to investigate the drug potency of nilotinib and treatment management. During a median observation period of 3.4 years, 76% of patients continued nilotinib as a first-line treatment. The 1-year and overall major molecular response (MMR) rates and the overall molecular response (MR) 4.5 rate for all patients receiving first-line nilotinib therapy were 70, 84.2, and 50%, respectively. No case progressed to the accelerated or blast phase during the study. To avoid AEs during the early phase, nilotinib doses were reduced to < 600 mg/day in a third of patients (Reduced group); these patients experienced better therapeutic efficacy and a lower rate of AEs relative to those in Standard group (300 mg twice daily). Ten patients who received < 600 mg/day of nilotinib throughout the study had a 1-year MMR rate and overall MR4.5 rate of 90 and 60%, respectively. In summary, our findings indicate that careful management, including dose reduction, can yield better outcomes in patients with ND-CML-CP.