ABSTRACT
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically changed the survival of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, and treatment-free remission (TFR) has recently emerged as a new goal of CML treatment. The aim of this work was to develop recommendations for TKI discontinuation in Latin America (LA), outside of clinical trials. A working group of CML experts from LA discussed 22 questions regarding TFR and reached a consensus for TFR recommendations in the region. TFR is indicated in patients in first chronic phase, with typical BCR-ABL transcripts, under TKI treatment of a minimum of 5 years, in sustained deep molecular response (DMR; molecular response 4.5 [MR4.5]) for 2 years. Sustained DMR must be demonstrated on at least 4 international reporting scale quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, separated by at least 3 months, in the immediate prior 2 years. After second-line therapy, TFR is indicated in previously intolerant, not resistant, patients. Molecular monitoring is recommended monthly for the first 6 months, every 2 to 3 months from months 7 to 12, and every 3 months during the second year, indefinitely. Treatment should be reintroduced if major molecular response is lost. Monitoring of withdrawal syndrome, glucose levels, and lipid profile is recommended after discontinuation. After TKI reintroduction, molecular monitoring is indicated every 2 to 3 months until MR4.0 achievement; later, every 3 to 6 months. For the TFR attempt, having standardized and reliable BCR-ABL PCR tests is mandatory. These recommendations will be useful for safe discontinuation in daily practice and will benefit patients who wish to stop treatment in emergent regions, in particular, with TKI-related chronic adverse events.
Subject(s)
Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive , Protein Kinase Inhibitors , Humans , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Recurrence , Remission InductionABSTRACT
O mesilato de imatinibe (MI), inibidor seletivo da tirosinoquinase envolvido na patogênese da leucemia mielóide crônica (LMC), tem se constituído como terapia farmacológica de primeira linha para o tratamento desta doença. A infusão de linfócitos do doador (DLI) tem sido considerada como tratamento padrão para recidiva da LMC após transplante de medula óssea (TMO) alogênico, apesar de estar freqüentemente associado à ocorrência de doença do enxerto contra hospedeiro e mielossupressão. Por apresentar resultados satisfatórios e boa tolerabilidade no tratamento da LMC, os autores empregaram o mesilato de imatinib como terapêutica alternativa à DLI em pacientes que sofreram recidiva após o TMO. Obtiveram sucesso em dois casos, sendo que em um houve retorno comprovado do quimerismo do doador. No terceiro caso houve progressão da doença e o paciente foi encaminhado para segundo TMO. Desta forma, devido ao caráter recente do tema, este estudo descritivo sugere que esta opção terapêutica possa ser estudada como alternativa na recaída pós-TMO.
Imatinib mesylate (MI), a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor involved in the pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), has become the first-line treatment for this disease. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) has been considered as the standard treatment for relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), even though it is frequently associated with graft versus host disease and myelosuppression. Because of the satisfactory results and tolerance of the treatment of CML, the authors used MI as an alternative therapy for DLI in patients that relapsed after BMT. They obtained cytogenetic remission in two cases, with, in one case, proven conversion to the donor chimera. The third case evolved with progression of the disease and a second BMT was required. Since this is a new alternative, this descriptive study suggests it should be considered as an alternative therapy for relapse after BMT.