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Chronic myeloid leukemia: reminiscences and dreams

The biology and treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a rare heterogeneous clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by a consistent cytogenetic abnormality (the Philadelphia chromosome) and the presence of the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, must surely be ranked as one of the most successful cancer medicine stories of the past century. The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene encodes the oncoprotein BCR-ABL1 (also referred to as p210 or BCR-ABL) with a constitutive active tyrosine kinase activity that is the primary cause of the chronic phase of CML. The discovery in 1996 that this kinase activity could be pharmacologically inactivated by a modified 2-phenylaminopyrimidine paved the…

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 What's New in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Research?

Scientists are making great progress in understanding how changes in a person's DNA can cause normal bone marrow cells to develop into CML cells. Learning about changes in the genes (regions of the DNA) involved in CML is providing insight into why these cells grow too quickly, live too long, and fail to develop into normal blood cells. The explosion of knowledge in recent years is being used to develop many new drugs.

Articles of Interest

A sad reminder of how serious CML can be

After six months on Gleevec, Lea's cancer counts hadn't budged (for comparison, after I was on the drug for six months my leukemia had gone from showing in 98 percent of my cells to only 4 percent). The doctors kept upping her dose and finally, back in November, switched her to a new Gleevec-like drug called Sprycel. Two months ago, after still no change in the disease, Lea and her doctors agreed that the best route was to head for a bone marrow transplant. A transplant, as many of you know, is a grueling procedure that will keep Lea in the hospital for at least a month and out of commission for a year. But it will cure her.

Can Patients With CML Stop Therapy Safely?

The approval of imatinib in 2001 marked a pivotal moment in CML treatment by changing what was once a fatal blood cancer into a manageable disease. Still, therapies like imatinib – known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) – require patients to take them every day. In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated recommendations that allowed patients with CML who have been taking the TKI nilotinib (Tasigna) for an extended length of time to safely stop taking it if they achieve remission.

Chronic myeloid leukemia-from the Philadelphia chromosome to specific target drugs: A literature review

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm and was the first neoplastic disease associated with a well-defined genotypic anomaly ― the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome. The advances in cytogenetic and molecular assays are of great importance to the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and monitoring of CM.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Modern therapies, current challenges and future directions

Without effective therapy, CP-CML invariably progresses to blast phase (BP-CML), an acute leukemia of myeloid or lymphoid phenotype. The development of BCR-AB1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) revolutionized the treatment of CML and ignited the start of a new era in oncology.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Takes His Illness Public

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar revealed some difficult news this week. The Hall Of Fame basketball legend disclosed that he has a rare form of cancer. Doctors diagnosed him with chronic myeloid leukemia almost a year ago, and he has now decided to share his story to show that a cancer diagnosis isnt some kind of automatic death sentence.

Kenyan study shines new light on chronic myeloid leukaemia

Generally, the best known cancer causing agents for all types of cancers include exposure to ionising radiation, chemicals and drugs, tobacco and alcohol consumption, infections, environmental pollutants and genetic factors. For chronic myeloid leukaemia, the only confirmed link is with nuclear bomb radiation. Other associations such as exposure to benzene are largely weak. For example, other studies have failed to show a clear association between farming and the development of this cancer.

Leukemia's Lionheart: The Fight of a Lifetime

The doctor proceeded to tell me a herniated disk caused the back pain. The tests also revealed that I had chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and that CML patients had a three-year life expectancy, unless they had a bone marrow transplant. He furthered explained, that with a bone marrow transplant, I had a 50/50 chance of a cure, but my body could reject the donor’s marrow and I could die from the procedure. I asked him why he didn’t call me to come in earlier.

Living With a Formerly Fatal Blood Cancer

Before 2000, fewer than half of C.M.L. patients survived seven years; now nearly 90 percent are alive seven years after diagnosis and, like Barry, lead relatively normal lives.

Meet Erin Zammett Ruddy, Who's Living With Cancer

It was devastating when I was first diagnosed, but I was very lucky in that I was able to take Gleevec, which was, at the time, a new drug that was basically a miracle drug for some outpatients. Since the day I was diagnosed, I started chronicling everything and started a column in the magazine called Life With Cancer that I've been writing now for four and a half years.

My Tale as a Cancer Survivor

The 27 years after treatment have demanded endurance and vigilance. But they’ve also brought unexpected rewards.

Targeted Therapies for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells contain an abnormal gene, BCR-ABL, that isn't found in normal cells. This gene makes a protein, BCR-ABL, which causes CML cells to grow and reproduce out of control. BCR-ABL is a type of protein known as a tyrosine kinase. Drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target BCR-ABL are the standard treatment for CML

The argument for using imatinib in CML

June 2018 was the 20th anniversary of the clinical use of the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), imatinib, for chronic myeloid leukemia. Since then, the change in prognosis for patients with this disease is one of the major success stories of modern cancer medicine. The dilemmas that face physicians and patients are no longer only those concerned with delaying inevitable progression to the terminal blastic phase or selecting the individuals most likely to benefit from allogeneic stem-cell transplantation; rather, they are now focused also on the choice of TKI, the management of comorbidities and adverse effects, strategies to improve quality of life, and the appropriateness of a trial of therapy discontinuation.

There Isn’t Such a Thing as a “Good Cancer”

In recent decades, CML has often been labeled as the “good cancer.” However, not only does this outlook minimize the reality of the person who is living with CML, but it also diminishes the importance of remaining proactive about treatment.

Treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the phase of the disease, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health. Treatments for CML have improved... completely changing how treatment is given and helping many patients live much longer.

Understanding CML

Many people with CML are treated with a type of targeted therapy known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, or TKI. The protein that causes CML, BCR-ABL, is a tyrosine kinase protein. The TKIs used to treat CML specifically inhibit BCR‑ABL. They help stop abnormal white blood cells, or CML cells, from forming in the body.

Resources

Rethink CML

According to patients, efficacy, tolerability profile, and quality of life should be prioritized when choosing a CML treatment, but many face the burden of low-grade AEs that may threaten adherence, responses, and long-term outcomes.

Speakup CML

Have you reached a point where side effects from your medication for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are impacting your daily life? Then it's time to speak up and let your doctor know. Although the effectiveness of your CML medication is the first priority, related side effects may sometimes weigh you down.

CML Advocates Network

We are a worldwide network of non-profit organisations supporting patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and their relatives.

International CML Foundation

The International CML Foundation (iCMLf) is a Foundation established in 2009 by a group of hematologists with a strong interest in CML. Our mission is to improve the outcomes for patients with CML globally. We are currently registered as a charitable foundation in England and Wales, however our charter is global.

World CML Day

The focus is on its impact on individuals and communities. To ensure equal opportunities for early detection, proper diagnosis, treatment, and addressing the needs of those with CML.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is also called chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia. CML is one of four main types of leukemia.

MedlinePlus

Chronic myeloid leukemia usually begins after age 60. Common features include excessive tiredness (fatigue), fever, and weight loss. Many affected individuals develop an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), which can cause a feeling of fullness in the abdomen and a loss of appetite. About half of people with chronic myeloid leukemia do not initially have any signs and symptoms and are diagnosed when a blood test is performed for another reason.

NORD

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) accounts of about 20% of all leukemias affecting adults. It typically affects middle-aged individuals and rarely adolescents or children.

StatPearls

Approximately half of the patients with CML are asymptomatic and are diagnosed on routine complete blood count. Most patients are in the chronic phase of CML. CML, in the chronic phase, most often presents with symptoms related to anemia and splenomegaly.