Comorbidities and outcomes of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a real-world, nationwide, retrospective study from Hungary.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide real-world evidence on the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in Hungary between 2011 and 2019. Patients and methods: This nationwide, retrospective study included patients who were newly diagnosed with CML in Hungarian clinical practice between January 2011 and December 2019. The analysis was based on the reimbursed prescription claims for imatinib, bosutinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, or ponatinib with the ICD-10 code C9210 in a public pharmacy between January 2009 and December 2019 using data from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) of Hungary. CML incidence and prevalence, TKI treatment patterns, comorbidities, and overall survival (OS) were examined. Results: Between 2011 and 2019, altogether 1,407 patients were diagnosed with CML, with an annual average of 156 patients. The number of patients newly initiating first-line TKI therapy for CML significantly increased between 2011 and 2019 (2011: n = 136 vs. 2019: n = 191; p = 0.0043). Nilotinib was typically prescribed for younger patients (≤64 years), while older patients (≥65 years) mostly received imatinib. The most common comorbidity of CML patients was hypertension, and the proportion of patients with other malignancies was relatively high in all treatment groups. 5-year OS was 77.1% during the whole study period. Patients initiating first-line TKI treatment for CML in 2015 had significantly better 4-year OS compared to those starting treatment in 2011 (82.4% vs. 73.5%, respectively, (HR 0.53 (95%CI 0.32-0.87) p = 0.0118). Conclusion: This study is the first to provide insights into the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of CML patients treated with TKIs in Hungarian clinical practice between 2011 and 2019. We found slightly lower OS rates compared to other European countries, however, there was a statistically significant improvement in 4-year OS during the study period. The management of CML was in line with international guidelines and recommendations.

The new Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP) estimates the risk of arterial occlusive events in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with nilotinib or ponatinib.

Patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with nilotinib or ponatinib may experience arterial occlusive events (AOEs). It is currently recommended to thoroughly assess cardiovascular risk factors before treating CML. We identified 455 consecutive CML adult patients, 335 treated with nilotinib and 120 with ponatinib; 380 patients without previous cardiovascular diseases or diabetes were stratified according to the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE2) and SCORE2-Older Persons (SCORE2-OP). This updated algorithm from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) estimates a 10-year risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular diseases. It is based on sex, age, smoking habits, systolic blood pressure, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and European geographical region of cardiovascular risk. The SCORE2/SCORE2-OP algorithm translated more patients (50.2%) to the high-very high cardiovascular risk category than the previous SCORE (25.3%). Patients with a high to very high SCORE2/SCORE2-OP risk showed a significantly higher incidence rate of AOEs (69.2% vs. 46.5%, p < 0.001). The older SCORE was less specific in estimating AOEs in patients classified as low-intermediate risk (69.8 vs. 54.2%). In multivariate analysis, no associations were found between AOEs and gender, age, and type or dose of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Only the SCORE2/SCORE2-OP risk was confirmed as a significant predictive factor (p = 0.028; hazard ratio = 2.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.1-4.5). Patients with AOEs required, in most cases, imaging diagnostic tests, additional drugs, and sometimes invasive procedures, increasing access to visits and hospital management. This real-life study suggested that the SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP charts could help identify cardiovascular fragility in CML patients providing them with more attention and a proper TKI selection.

The mortality of COVID-19 in CML patients from 2020 until 2022: results from the EPICOVIDEHA survey.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an overall improvement in patient mortality. However, haematological malignancy patients continue to experience significant impacts from COVID-19, including high rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and mortality. In comparison to other haematological malignancy patients, individuals with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) generally have better prognosis. This study, conducted using a large haematological malignancy patient database (EPICOVIDEHA), demonstrated that the majority of CML patients experienced mild infections. The decline in severe and critical infections over the years can largely be attributed to the widespread administration of vaccinations and the positive response they elicited. Notably, the mortality rate among CML patients was low and exhibited a downward trend in subsequent years. Importantly, our analysis provided confirmation of the effectiveness of vaccinations in CML patients.

Viral Infections and Incidence of Reactivations in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

BACKGROUND: Viral infections remain a significant problem for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who undergo stem cell transplants (SCTs). These infections often result from the reactivation of latent viruses. However, our understanding of the risk of viral reactivation in CML patients who have not undergone SCT is limited, and there is a scarcity of data on this topic. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment of CML as it is highly successful and has transformed the prognosis of patients with CML. However, TKI may be associated with an increased risk of infections. SUMMARY: We have performed a literature search for publications related to viral infections and their reactivations in patients with CML using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for the period 2001-2022. The population consisted of patients over 18 years old with a diagnosis of CML and no history of bone marrow transplantation. In an analysis of 41 patients, with 25 males and 16 females, M:F ratio of 1.56:1, and a median age of 50. Age ranged from 22 to 79 years. Most patients with reported viral infections or reactivations were in the chronic phase (CP) of CML, with 22 patients (76%) in the CP, 6 patients (21%) in the accelerated phase, and 1 patient (3%) in the blast phase. Most cases with reported outcomes responded to treatment for CML; only one had refractory disease and 8 cases (32%) had major molecular response. Imatinib was the most used TKI in 31 patients (77%). The most reported viral reactivations were herpes zoster in 17 cases (41%), followed by hepatitis B reactivation in 15 cases (37%). KEY MESSAGES: This review sheds light on the importance of having a hepatitis B serology checked before starting TKI therapy and close monitoring for viral infections and reactivations in patients with CML.

Association of Nilotinib With Cardiovascular Diseases in Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: A National Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment has been identified to be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the specific contribution of post-TKI metabolic syndrome and the individual TKIs, including imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib, contribute to the development of CVDs remains unclear. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide database to investigate the incidence of post-TKI metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, as well as their association with CVDs. To compare the risk of post-TKI comorbidities and CVDs among TKIs, we utilized the incidence rate ratio (IRR), and subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) calculated from multiple Fine-Gray models. RESULTS: A total of 1211 patients without diabetes, 1235 patients without hyperlipidemia, and 1074 patients without hypertension were enrolled in the study. The incidence rate of post-TKI diabetes and hyperlipidemia was the highest in patients treated with nilotinib compared to imatinib and dasatinib (IRRs ≥ 3.15, Ps ≤ .047). After adjusting for confounders, nilotinib remained a significant risk factor for post-TKI diabetes and hyperlipidemia at an SHR of 3.83 (P < .001) and 5.15 (P < .001), respectively. Regarding the occurrence of CVDs, patients treated with nilotinib were more likely to develop CVDs than those treated with imatinib in non-hyperlipidemic group (IRR = 3.21, P = .020). Pre-existing and post-TKI hyperlipidemia were found to have a stronger association with CVDs, with SHR values of 5.81 (P = .034) and 13.21 (P = .001), respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that nilotinib treatment is associated with increased risks of diabetes and hyperlipidemia, with hyperlipidemia being the most significant risk for CVDs. Therefore, we recommend that CML patients receiving nilotinib should undergo screening for diabetes and hyperlipidemia prior to initiating TKI treatment. Additionally, regular monitoring of lipid profiles during TKI therapy and implementing effective management strategies to control hyperlipidemia are crucial.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in children and adolescents-Clinicopathological findings.

BACKGROUND: Barely two per million Belgian children/adolescents are diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) annually. In this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic features, clinical and laboratory characteristics, and treatment outcome of this rare entity. METHODS: Medical records of all pediatric CML patients (age ≤ 17 years) diagnosed at the University Hospitals Leuven between 1986 and 2021 were reviewed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (median age at diagnosis 12.5 years) were included, all presenting in chronic phase. Five patients were diagnosed before 2003; main therapy included hydroxyurea (n = 5/5), interferon-alfa (n = 3/5) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-Tx) (n = 3/5). Complete hematologic response (CHR), complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and major molecular response (MMR) was reached in resp. 4/5, 4/5 and in 2/3 of evaluable patients. Three patients progressed to accelerated/blast phase (median time 19 months) and 1/5 is alive and disease-free at last follow-up. Nine patients were diagnosed after 2003 and were treated with first generation (1°G) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI): 3/9 subsequently underwent an allo-Tx, 4/9 were switched to 2°G TKI, one patient was additionally switched to 3°G TKI. CHR, CCyR and MMR was reached in 9/9, 9/9 and 8/9 of these patients. No progression to accelerated/blast phase was observed and none of these patients deceased. At last follow-up, 7/9 patients were in MMR or disease free, the two remaining patients did not reach or lost MMR, both related to compliance issues. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that TKI significantly improved the prognosis of pediatric CML. However, drug compliance poses a considerable challenge.

Outcome of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in the United States since the introduction of imatinib therapy-The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, 2000-2019.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in 2000, the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has improved significantly. METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate Ph-positive CML outcomes in the TKI therapy era, considering factors like age, ethnicity, and income. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, 2857 patients with Ph-positive CML diagnosed from 2000 to 2019 were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rates in Ph-positive CML increased to above 80%, compared with pre-TKIs historical data reporting 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of less than 50%. The 5-year OS rate was 73% for patients diagnosed in 2000-2004, 82% in 2005-2009, and 78% in 2010-2014; the 4-year OS rate was 83% in 2015-2019. The 5-year OS rate for younger patients (<60 years old) was 88% in 2000-2009 and 90% in 2010-2019 (p value .426). In older patients (60+ years old), the 5-year OS rates were 64% and 65%, respectively (p value, .303). Lower household income was associated with inferior survival across the 2000-2019. These results are inferior to European studies where TKIs are universally available and affordable, and relative OS in CML is similar to age-matched normal populations. CONCLUSIONS: Although the outcome of Ph-positive CML has improved significantly since 2000, the SEER data still shows differences in outcomes among patient subsets, some anticipated (worse OS in older patients accounted by the relative OS), but others that suggest less than universal access and affordability of this therapy (among poorer patients) in the United States.

Patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and coronavirus disease 2019 in the Omicron era.

To explore the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 and the mental health during the Omicron pandemic in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a cross-sectional survey from 2609 respondents with CML was performed. A total of 1725 (66%) reported that they had COVID-19 during this period. Among them, 1621 (94%) were mild; 97 (6%), moderate; 7 (0.4%), severe; and 0, critical or death. Four hundred three (15%), 199 (8%), and 532 (20%) had moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and distress, respectively. Eight hundred ninety (34%), 667 (26%), and 573 (22%), avoidance, intrusion, and hyper-arousal, respectively. In multivariate analyses, longer TKI-therapy duration was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95, 0.99; p = 0.043); however, living in urban areas (OR = 1.6 [1.3, 2.0]; p < 0.001) and having family members with COVID-19 (OR = 18.6 [15.1, 22.8]; p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of COVID-19. Increasing age (OR = 1.2 [1.1, 1.4]; p = 0.009), comorbidity(ies) (OR = 1.7 [1.1, 2.7]; p = 0.010), and multi-TKI-resistant patients receiving 3rd-generation TKIs or investigational agents (OR = 2.2 [1.2, 4.2]; p = 0.010) were significantly associated with moderate or severe COVID-19. Female, comorbidity(ies), unvaccinated, and moderate or severe COVID-19 were significantly associated with almost all adverse mental health consequences; increasing age or forced TKI dose reduction because of various restriction during the pandemic, moderate to severe distress, avoidance, or intrusion; however, mild COVID-19, none or mild anxiety, distress, avoidance, or intrusion. In conclusion, shorter TKI-therapy duration, increasing age, comorbidity(ies), or multi-TKI-resistant patients receiving 3rd-generation TKIs or investigational agents had a higher prevalence of COVID-19 or higher risk of moderate or severe disease in patients with CML; increasing age, female, comorbidity(ies), forced TKI dose reduction due to the pandemic, moderate or severe COVID-19, unvaccinated, a higher likelihood of worse mental health.

Despite warnings, co-medication with proton pump inhibitors and dasatinib is common in chronic myeloid leukemia, but XS004, a novel oral dasatinib formulation, provides reduced pH-dependence, minimizing undesirable drug-drug interactions.

BACKGROUND: Dasatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, as a lipophilic weak base, crystalline monohydrate, dasatinib (Sprycel®) is poorly soluble, rendering a pH-dependent absorption and a highly variable bioavailability. Thus, co-medication with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) profoundly impairs dasatinib uptake and is clearly recommended against. XS004 is a novel oral immediate release and amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) formulation of dasatinib and is bioequivalent to the original crystalline dasatinib at 30% lower dosages. XS004 is designed to mitigate gastric pH dependency, thus optimizing absorption and bioavailability. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of dasatinib and PPI co-medication among chronic-phase CML patients in a real-world setting and assessed the plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) of XS004 with and without PPI co-medication (omeprazole) in healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Using the Swedish CML and Prescribed Drug Registers, we identified 676 TKI-treated CML patients; 320 (47%) had been prescribed PPI at some point after CML diagnosis. Among dasatinib-treated patients, the 2-year cumulative PPI co-medication was 24%. Interestingly, the 5-year overall survival was significantly lower for TKI-treated CML patients with versus without PPI co-medication (79% vs. 94%; hazard ratio 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-5.3; p < .0001). When assessing PK of XS004, neither Cmax nor area under the plasma concentration curve levels in plasma were significantly altered by the PPI co-medication. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, despite warnings, PPI co-medication is common among dasatinib-treated CML patients in a real-world setting. The new XS004 ASD formulation of dasatinib provided, in contrast to original crystalline dasatinib, superior pH independence with stable bioavailability, thereby minimizing drug-drug interactions. This may improve the long-term efficacy and tolerability of dasatinib in CML.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Children and Adolescents.

Acute leukemia is the most common malignancy in childhood, while chronic myeloid leukemia is rare, accounting for only 2% to 3% of all leukemia in childhood and 9% in adolescents, with an annual incidence of 1 and 2.2 cases per million in the two groups. The goal in Pediatrics is remission and cure with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and monitoring closely for long-term effects of TKI use.

Secular trend in disease burden of leukemia and its subtypes in China from 1990 to 2019 and its projection in 25 years.

Leukemia and its subtypes impose a major public health challenge in China. Identifying the secular trend of leukemia burden is critical to facilitate optimal healthcare planning and improve the management of leukemia. The incidence rates of leukemia from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database according to the following: subtype (acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL], acute myeloid leukemia [AML], chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL], chronic myelogenous leukemia [CML], and other leukemia subtypes), sex, and age group. The average annual percentage changes and relative risks were calculated using joinpoint regression and the age-period-cohort model, respectively. The Bayesian age-period-cohort model was also applied to predict the future trend of the incidence of leukemia and its subtypes in the next 25 years. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of leukemia slightly declined in males and females, which is similar to the trend of other leukemia subtypes. However, the four major leukemia subtypes, namely, ALL, AML, CLL, and CML, have been on the rise over the past three decades. The incidence rates of leukemia in children and the elderly were considerably higher than those in other age groups in males and females. Age effects were the most influential risk factor for leukemia incidence. Period effects showed that the risks of leukemia and its subtypes incidence increased with time. For cohort effects, the risks of leukemia and its subtypes were higher among the early-born cohorts compared with the late-born cohorts. The ASIRs of leukemia and its subtypes will continue to increase in the next 25 years. The burden of leukemia and its subtypes is expected to continue to increase in the next 25 years in males and females. A comprehensive understanding of the risk characteristics and disease pattern of leukemia and its subtypes is needed to formulate timely and effective intervention measures to reduce the leukemia burden in China.

Sex-specific incidence of hepatitis B virus flares among Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor users in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The use of Bcr-Abl TKI was found to be associated with hepatitis B (HBV) flares, with a more profound risk observed in females. This study was conducted to characterize the clinical features of patients with HBV flare among Bcr-Abl TKI users, to estimate sex-specific incidence rates of HBV flare, and to evaluate potential cumulative effect of Bcr-Abl TKI. METHODS: Bcr-Abl TKI users with chronic HBV infection were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance database. The HBV flare cases were identified within the cohort. Incidence rates of HBV flare between men and women were assessed. Nested case-control analysis was used to evaluate the cumulative effect of Bcr-Abl TKI use on HBV flare. RESULTS: Among 415 patients with chronic HBV infection treated with Bcr-Abl TKI from 2005 through 2018, 45 flare cases (28 males and 17 females) were identified. Days between Bcr-Abl TKI initiation and HBV flare was 319 days in women compared to 610 days in men. 66.7% of the flares occurred during TKI therapy. Twelve of the 45 patients died, half of them died around 6 months after hepatitis B flare. Incidence rates of HBV flare were 2.34 and 3.33 per 100 person-years in males and females, respectively. Higher incidence was observed among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. Cumulative effect of Bcr-Abl TKI on HBV flare was not observed. CONCLUSION: Approximately 10% of HBV carriers who used Bcr-Abl TKI experienced HBV flare in Taiwan. The risk was higher in women and among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Fertility and pregnancy in chronic myeloid leukemia: real-world experience from an Indian tertiary care institution.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) management during pregnancy is challenging. In this retrospective study, hospital records of CML patients treated between 2000 and 2021 were screened to identify patients who tried to conceive/got pregnant (planned and unplanned) on TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors)/were pregnant at CML onset/fathered a child. We found ninety-three pregnancies involving thirty-three women and thirty-eight men, and they were analyzed for the pregnancy outcomes and the strategies utilized for CML management during pregnancy and the pre-conception period. There were two women and four men with primary infertility and five women with secondary infertility. TKIs were discontinued before conception in four planned pregnancies and at the time of recognition of pregnancy in unplanned pregnancies (n = 21). Unplanned pregnancy outcomes were two miscarriages, eight elective terminations, and eleven live births. Planned pregnancies led to four healthy babies. Outcomes of pregnancies at CML onset (n = 17) were six live births, one stillbirth, five elective terminations, and five abortions. Except for one child with congenital micro-ophthalmia, no other child born to the women on TKI had any malformations. Thirty-eight men fathered 51 healthy children. All but two patients (one planned and one unplanned pregnancy) lost their hematological responses during pregnancy and gained their previous best response after restarting TKI. In women who were pregnant at CML onset, complete cytological remission (CCYR) was achieved between 7 and 24 months (median:14 months) after starting TKI. During pregnancy, intermittent hydroxyurea ± TKI (in the second and third trimesters) was used to keep WBCs less than 30,000/mm3. Outcomes of pregnancies in CML patients can be optimized with our approach. TKIs (Imatinib and Nilotinib) can be safely used in the second and third trimesters. Delayed initiation or interruption of TKI during pregnancy does not negatively affect response to TKIs.

Frailty in chronic myeloid leukemia: evidence from 2016-2018 Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the US.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a marker of poor prognosis in older adults with hematologic malignancies and contributes to the severe vulnerability of the aging population to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the association between frailty and outcomes in hospitalized patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). METHODS: The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) identified data on hospitalized patients 20 years or older admitted with CML between 2016 and 2018 in the US National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. The cohort was further divided into groups of patients with or without frailty. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine associations between study variables and clinical outcomes. A stratified analysis of the association between frailty and in-hospital mortality by age group was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 13,849 hospitalized patients with CML were included, 49.6% of whom had frailty. The mean age of the patients was 65.1 years, and 7,619 (56.2%) of them were male. Frailty was associated with nearly 4 times the risk of in-hospital mortality, 3 times the risk of unfavorable discharge, 3 times the risk of prolonged LOS,, and significantly more in total hospital costs. In addition, frailty was associated with a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality in all age subgroups (< 40 years, 40-59 years, and > 60 years) compared with no frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty strongly predicts poor clinical outcomes in US patients with CML.

Association of obesity under different metabolic status with adverse outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association between abnormal metabolic obesity states and the outcomes of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), especially in patients with obesity with different metabolic status. Here, we used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to assess the effects of metabolically defined obesity on adverse outcomes of CML. METHODS: Of the 35 460 557 (weighted) patients, we included 7931 adults with discharge diagnoses of CML from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018. The study population was observed until December 31, 2018 and divided into four groups based on body mass index and metabolic status. The primary outcome was the adverse outcomes of CML, including nonremission (NR)/relapse and severe mortality risk. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze data. RESULTS: Metabolically unhealthy normal weight and metabolically unhealthy obesity were all risk factors for adverse outcomes of CML compared with metabolically healthy normal weight (all p < 0.01), and a significant difference was not found in the metabolically healthy obese. Female patients with metabolically unhealthy normal weight and metabolically unhealthy obesity had 1.23-fold and 1.40-fold increased NR/relapse risk, while male patients did not have this risk. Moreover, patients with a higher number of metabolic risk factors or with dyslipidemia were at higher risk of adverse outcomes, regardless of obesity status. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic abnormalities were associated with adverse outcomes in patients with CML, irrespective of obesity status. Future treatment of patients with CML should consider the effects of obesity on their adverse outcomes under different metabolic status, especially in female patients.

The Impact of Improved Treatments on Survival of Adult U.S. Leukemia Patients: 1990-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Molecularly targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are effective treatments for B-cell receptor (BCR)-ABL-bearing leukemias. We evaluated the impact of TKIs on historical chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) mortality trends compared with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL). METHODS: Because mortality trends reflect combined effects of leukemia incidence and survival, we also evaluated the contribution of incidence and survival trends to mortality trends by subtypes. We used data from 13 U.S. (SEER) registries (1992-2017) among U.S. adults. We utilized histology codes to identify cases of CML, ALL, and CLL and death certificate data to calculate mortality. We used Joinpoint to characterize incidence (1992-2017) and mortality (1992-2018) trends by subtype and diagnosis year. RESULTS: For CML, mortality rates started declining in 1998 at an average rate of 12% annually. Imatinib was approved by the FDA for treating CML and ALL in 2001, leading to clear benefits for patients with CML. Five-year CML survival increased dramatically over time, especially between 1996 to 2011, 2.3% per year on average. ALL incidence increased 1.5% annually from 1992 to 2017. ALL mortality decreased 0.6% annually during 1992 to 2012 and then stopped declining. CLL incidence fluctuated during 1992 to 2017 while mortality decreased 1.1% annually during 1992 to 2011 and at a faster rate of 3.6% per year from 2011. Five-year survival increased 0.7% per year on average during 1992 to 2016. CONCLUSIONS: Survival benefit from TKIs and other novel therapies for treating leukemia subtypes has been demonstrated in clinical trials. IMPACT: Our study highlights the impact of molecularly targeted therapies at the population level.

Adherence to quality indicators in chronic myeloid leukemia care: results from a population-based study in The Netherlands.

Suboptimal guideline adherence in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) care is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Current study focused on adherence to seven quality indicators (QIs) based on the European Leukemia Network guideline (one diagnostic, one therapeutic, and five monitoring indicators). Data were obtained from population-based registries in the Netherlands of 405 newly diagnosed chronic phase CML patients between January 2008 and April 2013. Compliance rates regarding diagnostic and therapeutic indicator were 83% and 78%, respectively. Monitoring indicators rates were lower: 21-27% for indicators concerning the first year and 58% and 62% for the second and third year, respectively. Noncompliance occurred mostly due to non-timely monitoring. Twenty cases did not comply with any indicator, 6% complied with all indicators. After adjustment for age, overall survival rates did not differ significantly between the groups. Adherence to guideline-based QIs was suboptimal. This demonstrates the evidence-practice gap, shows room for improvement and underscores the need for real-world data.

Guidelines for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia from the NCCN and ELN: differences and similarities.

Patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase can now have a life expectancy comparable to that of the general population thanks to the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies. Although most patients with CML require lifelong TKI therapy, it is possible for some patients to achieve treatment-free remission. These spectacular results have been made possible by the development of superior treatment modalities as well as clinicians' efforts in strictly adhering to clinical guidelines such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and European Leukemia Network (ELN). CML treatment recommendations reported in these guidelines are the result of years of selecting and incorporating the most reliable evidence. In this review, we provide a synopsis of the differences and similarities that exist between the NCCN and ELN guidelines.

Incidence of symptomatic Covid-19 infections in patients with mastocytosis and chronic myeloid leukemia: A comparison with the general Austrian population.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-COV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic has impacted the management of patients with hematologic disorders. In some entities, an increased risk for Covid-19 infections was reported, whereas others including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) had a lower mortality. We have analyzed the prevalence of Covid-19 infections in patients with mastocytosis during the Covid-19 pandemic in comparison to data from CML patients and the general Austrian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prevalence of infections and PCR-proven Covid-19 infections was analyzed in 92 patients with mastocytosis. As controls, we used 113 patients with CML and the expected prevalence of Covid-19 in the general Austrian population. RESULTS: In 25% of the patients with mastocytosis (23/92) signs and symptoms of infection, including fever (n = 11), dry cough (n = 10), sore throat (n = 12), pneumonia (n = 1), and dyspnea (n = 3) were recorded. Two (8.7%) of these symptomatic patients had a PCR-proven Covid-19 infection. Thus, the prevalence of Covid-19 infections in mastocytosis was 2.2%. The number of comorbidities, subtype of mastocytosis, regular exercise, smoking habits, age, or duration of disease at the time of interview did not differ significantly between patients with and without Covid-19 infections. In the CML cohort, 23.9% (27/113) of patients reported signs and symptoms of infection (fever, n = 8; dry cough, n = 17; sore throat, n = 11; dyspnea, n = 5). Six (22.2%) of the symptomatic patients had a PCR-proven Covid-19 infection. The prevalence of Covid-19 in all CML patients was 5.3%. The observed number of Covid-19 infections neither in mastocytosis nor in CML patients differed significantly from the expected number of Covid-19 infections in the Austrian population. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show no significant difference in the prevalence of Covid-19 infections among patients with mastocytosis, CML, and the general Austrian population and thus, in mastocytosis, the risk of a Covid-19 infection was not increased compared to the general population.