title: Quality of Life and Long-Term Therapy in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.
abstract: Since the development of imatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the prognosis for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has markedly improved, such that most patients diagnosed with CML can now expect to live with their disease rather than die from it. However, most patients will require long-term treatment, which has deleterious effects on health-related quality of life. We review recent literature on drug-related adverse effects, long-term medication adherence, limitations to fertility and pregnancy, effects on cognitive function, ability to work, financial toxicity, pediatric populations, and treatment discontinuation. While patients with CML are fortunate to have excellent therapies available to control their disease, many are unable to lead normal lives, which challenges the notion that research is no longer needed in CML. Curing CML, i.e., no detectable disease and no need for daily medications, should remain the ultimate goal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Center for Patient Care and Outcomes Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. kflynn@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. eatallah@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: Ehab
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atallah
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Chronic myeloid leukemias; Quality of life; Therapy; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors