title: Firstline treatment for chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients should be based on a holistic approach.
abstract: New selective and more potent drugs for the cure of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients are now available: physicians in some countries must decide the best option, selecting one of the drugs available. What the main prognostic factors are in order to make this selection remains a matter of discussion. Introducing a 'holistic approach' for the first time in chronic myeloid leukemia, as practiced in other diseases, and looking at the patient in a complete picture, considering several variables, such as comorbidities, age, concomitant drugs, lifestyle and patient expectations, may be of help to understand, patient by patient, the best therapeutic strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University, Via Benevento 6, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breccia
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alimena
mesh_terms: D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D015466:Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: chronic myeloid leukemia; holistic approach; therapy