Expert opinion on the treatment of refractory chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia

Abstract

The development and clinical availability of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of patients who discontinue imatinib therapy has further improved the outlook for patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CP-CML). There is, however, uncertainty surrounding how best to treat patients after failing second-generation TKIs. A three-section questionnaire was devised by chronic myeloid leukaemia experts to address questions surrounding this issue. Responses were received from 14 out of 34 experts (41.2%). Generally, a reasonable consensus was found among the responses for most issues. There was a complete consensus that ponatinib was suitable for all patients carrying the T315I mutation regardless of the molecular response to prior treatment. There was also complete consensus that allografting is appropriate in any patient who has had blast crises and is back in a second chronic phase. More recommendations for third-line treatment of CP-CML patients are necessary.