Abstract
Purpose of Review
While most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) present in a chronic phase and are expected to have a normal life expectancy, some patients present with or progress to a more aggressive accelerated phase (AP) or blast phase (BP) of CML. Herein, we discuss the diagnostic considerations of advanced phase CML and review its contemporary management.
Recent Findings
Later-generation, more potent BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as ponatinib may result in superior outcomes in patients with advanced phase CML. For CML-BP, combination approaches directed against the blast immunophenotype appear superior to TKI monotherapy. The role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation is controversial in CML-AP but has consistently been shown to improve outcomes for patients with CML-BP.
Summary
Advanced phase CML, particularly CML-BP, remains a poor risk subtype of CML. However, novel combination approaches using later-generation TKIs are being explored in clinical trials and may lead to improved outcomes.
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Abbreviations
- CML:
-
Chronic myeloid leukemia
- ELN:
-
European LeukemiaNet
- WHO:
-
World Health Organization
- BM:
-
Bone marrow
- WBC:
-
White blood cells
- ACA:
-
Additional cytogenetic abnormality
- PB:
-
Peripheral blood
- CNS:
-
Central nervous system
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Funding
Supported by an MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant (CA016672) and SPORE. N. J. S. is supported by the American Society of Hematology Junior Faculty Scholar Award in Clinical Research.
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N. J. S. has served as consultant for Pfizer Inc., GSK, NKARTA, and Sanofi, reports receiving research grants from Takeda Oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., Xencor, Stemline Therapeutics, and NextCure, and has received honoraria from Novartis, Amgen, Pfizer Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Sanofi, and BeiGene. J. S. has been on the Advisory Board of Kite. E. J.: AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding.
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Short, N.J., Senapati, J. & Jabbour, E. An Update on the Management of Advanced Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 18, 234–242 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-023-00709-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-023-00709-4