title: Chronic myeloid leukaemia in South Africa.
abstract: Despite the challenges of a resource-limited environment, the outcome of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients in South Africa is similar to that in developed countries, thanks to access to tyrosine kinase inhibitors through patient assistance programmes and clinical  trials. A number of challenges are faced in terms of reimbursement of drugs, simultaneous co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus, access to allogeneic stem cell transplantation and, until recently, a lack of local recommendations appropriate for our setting. It is hoped that the newly  published recommendations for the management of CML in South Africa will close many of the gaps in knowledge and practice and thus translate into better patient outcomes. Epidemiological data are limited and there is a need for more collaborative studies locally to elucidate issues such as  incidence, prevalence and response to treatment. The challenges experienced in the management of CML and other cancers in the developing world are often economical and political in nature and require a comprehensive approach by clinicians, pathologists, health economists, medical insurers  and policy makers if we are to find sustainable solutions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Haematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. louwvj@ufs.ac.za
authors.forename: Vernon J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Louw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases