Balancing Benefits and Risk During Treatment of Paediatric Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI)

Data from children with CML on treatment responses (cytogenetic: CyR; molecular: MR, assessed by quantRT-PCR of BCR-ABL transcript rate) and side effects under up-front treatment with imatinib (IMA) are reported. A landmark analysis in pts entering study CML-paed-II in chronic phase exhibited at month 3: no complete haematological response in 2/42 pts; at month 12: no complete CyR in 2/28 pts; at month 18: no major MR in 2/19 pts. Consequently allogeneic transplantation as curative option was postponed for cases becoming intolerant or refractory to IMA. Overall side effects (Leukemia 2006;20:187; Bone Marrow Tra…