The time to cytogenetic response determines survival in CML patients (pts) receiving second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and allows early identification of pts destined to fail therapy

Abstract

Abstract Background: Novel Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) are used in the treatment of CML pts who fail imatinib. However, more than half of chronic phase (CP) pts will not achieve complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), and the criteria for when to consider alternate therapy among such pts are not well defined. Methods: We analyzed the pattern of cytogenetic response in 113 pts with CML in CP receiving nilotinib (n=43, 38%) or dasatinib (n=70, 62%) after imatinib failure in order to determine which milestones are important for long-term survival, and to develop a predictive model for the early identification of poor-risk pts. Pts (n=26, 23%) with clonal evolut..