Key clinical point: Initial rate of BCR-ABL1 decline, measured as halving time, was a strong predictor of sustained treatment-free remission (TFR) post-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) cessation in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) treated with firstline TKI therapies.
Major finding: Patients with a sustained TFR had a shorter BCR-ABL1 halving time vs. those with molecular relapse (10.1 vs. 21.7 days; P less than .001). The probability of sustained TFR was 80% vs. 4% among patients with halving time less than 9.35 days vs. more than 21.85 days ( P less than .001).
Study details : Findings are from a retrospective analysis of 115 adult patients with CML-CP who attempted TFR and were followed up for at least 12 months post-TKI discontinuation.
Disclosures: The authors did not declare any source of funding. Some of the investigators including the lead author reported receiving honoraria and travel and accommodation expenses; being on the advisory board; and receiving research funding from various pharmaceutical companies.
Source: Shanmuganathan N et al. Blood. 2021 Mar 4. doi: 10.1182/blood.2020005514 .