Chronic myeloid leukemia: an update of concepts and management recommendations of European LeukemiaNet.
OBJECTIVE
To review and update the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations for the management of chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including monitoring, response definition, and first- and second-line therapy.


METHODS
These recommendations are based on a critical and comprehensive review of the relevant papers up to February 2009 and the results of four consensus conferences held by the panel of experts appointed by ELN in 2008.


RESULTS
Cytogenetic monitoring was required at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Molecular monitoring was required every 3 months. On the basis of the degree and the timing of hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular results, the response to first-line imatinib was defined as optimal, suboptimal, or failure, and the response to second-generation TKIs was defined as suboptimal or failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Initial treatment was confirmed as imatinib 400 mg daily. Imatinib should be continued indefinitely in optimal responders. Suboptimal responders may continue on imatinb, at the same or higher dose, or may be eligible for investigational therapy with second-generation TKIs. In instances of imatinib failure, second-generation TKIs are recommended, followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation only in instances of failure and, sometimes, suboptimal response, depending on transplantation risk.
Baccarani
Michele
M
Department of Hematology/Oncology, L. and A. Seràgnoli, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. michele.baccarani@unibo.it
Cortes
Jorge
J
Pane
Fabrizio
F
Niederwieser
Dietger
D
Saglio
Giuseppe
G
Apperley
Jane
J
Cervantes
Francisco
F
Deininger
Michael
M
Gratwohl
Alois
A
Guilhot
François
F
Hochhaus
Andreas
A
Horowitz
Mary
M
Hughes
Timothy
T
Kantarjian
Hagop
H
Larson
Richard
R
Radich
Jerald
J
Simonsson
Bengt
B
Silver
Richard T
RT
Goldman
John
J
Hehlmann
Rudiger
R
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D000069439:Dasatinib; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013844:Thiazoles; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; C498826:nilotinib; D000069439:Dasatinib