Dr. Kantarjian on the Optimal Frontline Treatment for CML

Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD, Department Chair, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the optimal frontline therapy for patients with chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

Kantarjian notes that the three approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for CML are excellent choices for patients. The decision to use dasatinib, nilotinib, or imatinib as the frontline therapy depends on multiple factors. Overall, in recent trials, the second-generation TKIs dasatinib and nilotinib have resulted in greater molecular and cytogenetic responses, when compared to imatinib.

At this time, Kantarjian notes that dasatinib and nilotinib should be used as the frontline treatment for CML, since they demonstrated greater efficacy in clinical trials. In addition to improving response, these agents are also associated with fewer chronic side effects.