Dr. Schiller on the Potential Utility of Asciminib in CML

Gary J. Schiller, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, director, Hematological Malignancies/Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, member, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Stem Biology Program, University of California, Los Angeles, discusses the potential utility of asciminib (ABL001) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Asciminib, a novel STAMP inhibitor, demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in major molecular response rate at 24 weeks compared with bosutinib (Bosulif) in patients with chronic-phase CML who have received at least 2 prior TKIs. The findings were reported in the phase 3 ASCEMBL study, which were presented during the 2020 ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. 

Currently, novel agents are needed in CML because established therapies utilize the same mechanism of action, explains Schiller. Although the ASCEMBL trial only evaluated asciminib in patients with chronic-phase CML, many of whom had received prior ponatinib (Iclusig), the agent may have widespread utility in the CML armamentarium, Schiller says. However, additional studies are needed to determine optimal sequencing of asciminib and ponatinib, concludes Schiller.