title: How has treatment changed for blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era? A review of efficacy and safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in advanced phases of disease has drastically changed since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) which provide tailored treatment strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, efficacy data of different TKIs are reported and reviewed when used as single agent or in combination for the management of blast phase (BP) CML.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although brilliant results were achieved, the outcome of BP patients did not change when TKIs were used as single agents. Newer strategies of association of TKI with intensified chemotherapy or new agents for different pathways are strongly needed as a bridge to possible allogeneic transplant.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology , Sapienza University , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology , Sapienza University , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Massaro
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology , Sapienza University , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alimena
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology , Sapienza University , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breccia
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001752:Blast Crisis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: Chronic myeloid leukemia; blast phase; outcome; tyrosine kinase inhibitors