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Limited data is available on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are in treatment-free remission (TFR). We herein report HRQoL results from the EURO-SKI trial. Patients who had been on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy for at least 3 years and achieved MR4 for at least 1 year were enrolled from 11 European countries, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the FACIT-Fatigue questionnaires were used to assess HRQoL and fatigue respectively. Patients were categorized into the following age groups: 18-39, 40-59, 60-69 and ≥70 years. Of 728 patients evaluated at baseline, 686 (94%) completed HRQoL assessments. The median age at TKI discontinuation was 60 years. Our findings indicate that HRQoL and symptom trajectories may vary depending on specific age groups, with younger patients benefiting the most. Improvements in patients aged 60 years or older were marginal across several HRQoL and symptom domains. At the time of considering TKI discontinuation, physicians could inform younger patients that they may expect valuable HRQoL benefits. Considering the marginal improvements observed in patients aged 60 years or above, it may be important to further investigate the value of TFR compared to a lowest effective dose approach in this older group of patients., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported. The European Stop Kinase Inhibitors (EURO-SKI) study is the largest clinical trial for investigating the cessation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in stable deep molecular remission (DMR). Among 728 patients, 434 patients (61%; 95% CI, 57 to 64) remained in major molecular response (MMR) at 6 months and 309 patients of 678 (46%; 95% CI, 42 to 49) at 36 months. Duration of TKI treatment and DMR before TKI stop were confirmed as significant factors for the prediction of MMR loss at 6 months. In addition, the type of BCR::ABL1 transcript was identified as a prognostic factor. For late MMR losses after 6 months, TKI treatment duration, percentage of blasts in peripheral blood, and platelet count at diagnosis were significant factors in multivariate analysis. For the entire study period of 36 months, multiple logistic regression models confirmed duration of treatment, blasts, and transcript type as independent factors for MMR maintenance. In addition to the duration of treatment, transcript type as well as blasts in peripheral blood at diagnosis should be considered as important factors to predict treatment-free remission.

Blast phase (BP) of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) still represents an unmet clinical need with a dismal prognosis. Due to the rarity of the condition and the heterogeneity of the biology and clinical presentation, prospective trials and concise treatment recommendations are lacking. Here we present the analysis of the European LeukemiaNet Blast Phase Registry, an international collection of the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of blast phases which had been diagnosed in CML patients after 2015. Data reveal the expected heterogeneity of the entity, lacking a clear treatment standard. Outcomes remain dismal, with a median overall survival of 23.8 months (median follow up 27.8 months). Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) increases the rate of deep molecular responses. De novo BP and BP evolving from a previous CML do show slightly different features, suggesting a different biology between the two entities. Data show that outside clinical trials and in a real-world setting treatment of blast phase is individualized according to disease- and patient-related characteristics, with the aim of blast clearance prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. AlloSCT should be offered to all patients eligible for this procedure., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies has revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommends quantification of BCR-ABL1 transcripts by real-time quantitative PCR every 3 months during TKI treatment. Since a proportion of patients in deep molecular response (DMR: MR 4 , MR 4.5 , MR 5 ) maintain remission after treatment stop, assessment of DMR is crucial. However, systematically collected molecular data, monitored with sensitive standardized assays, are not available outside clinical trials., Methods: Data were collected on the standardized assessment of molecular response in the context of real-life practice. BCR-ABL1 transcript levels after > 2 years of TKI therapy were evaluated for DMR by local laboratories as well as standardized EUTOS laboratories. Since standardized molecular monitoring is a prerequisite for treatment discontinuation, central surveillance of the performance of the participating laboratories was carried out., Results: Between 2014 and 2017, 3377 peripheral blood samples from 1117 CML patients were shipped to 11 standardized reference laboratories in six European countries. BCR-ABL1 transcript types were b3a2 (41.63%), b2a2 (29.99%), b2a2/b3a2 (3.58%) and atypical (0.54%). For 23.72% of the patients, the initial transcript type had not been reported. Response levels (EUTOS laboratory) were: no MMR, n = 197 (6.51%); MMR, n = 496 (16.40%); MR 4 , n = 685 (22.64%); MR 4.5 , n = 937 (30.98%); MR 5 , n = 710 (23.47%). With a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.708, a substantial agreement between EUTOS-certified and local laboratories was shown., Conclusions: Multicenter DMR assessment is feasible in the context of real-life clinical practice in Europe. Information on the BCR-ABL1 transcript type at diagnosis is crucial to accurately monitor patients' molecular response during or after TKI therapy.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved the survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Many patients have deep molecular responses, a prerequisite for TKI therapy discontinuation. We aimed to define precise conditions for stopping treatment., Methods: In this prospective, non-randomised trial, we enrolled patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia at 61 European centres in 11 countries. Eligible patients had chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia, had received any TKI for at least 3 years (without treatment failure according to European LeukemiaNet [ELN] recommendations), and had a confirmed deep molecular response for at least 1 year. The primary endpoint was molecular relapse-free survival, defined by loss of major molecular response (MMR; >0·1% BCR-ABL1 on the International Scale) and assessed in all patients with at least one molecular result. Secondary endpoints were a prognostic analysis of factors affecting maintenance of MMR at 6 months in learning and validation samples and the cost impact of stopping TKI therapy. We considered loss of haematological response, progress to accelerated-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia, or blast crisis as serious adverse events. This study presents the results of the prespecified interim analysis, which was done after the 6-month molecular relapse-free survival status was known for 200 patients. The study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01596114., Findings: Between May 30, 2012, and Dec 3, 2014, we assessed 868 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia for eligibility, of whom 758 were enrolled. Median follow-up of the 755 patients evaluable for molecular response was 27 months (IQR 21-34). Molecular relapse-free survival for these patients was 61% (95% CI 57-64) at 6 months and 50% (46-54) at 24 months. Of these 755 patients, 371 (49%) lost MMR after TKI discontinuation, four (1%) died while in MMR for reasons unrelated to chronic myeloid leukaemia (myocardial infarction, lung cancer, renal cancer, and heart failure), and 13 (2%) restarted TKI therapy while in MMR. A further six (1%) patients died in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia after loss of MMR and re-initiation of TKI therapy for reasons unrelated to chronic myeloid leukaemia, and two (<1%) patients lost MMR despite restarting TKI therapy. In the prognostic analysis in 405 patients who received imatinib as first-line treatment (learning sample), longer treatment duration (odds ratio [OR] per year 1·14 [95% CI 1·05-1·23]; p=0·0010) and longer deep molecular response durations (1·13 [1·04-1·23]; p=0·0032) were associated with increasing probability of MMR maintenance at 6 months. The OR for deep molecular response duration was replicated in the validation sample consisting of 171 patients treated with any TKI as first-line treatment, although the association was not significant (1·13 [0·98-1·29]; p=0·08). TKI discontinuation was associated with substantial cost savings (an estimated €22 million). No serious adverse events were reported., Interpretation: Patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia who have achieved deep molecular responses have good molecular relapse-free survival. Such patients should be considered for TKI discontinuation, particularly those who have been in deep molecular response for a long time. Stopping treatment could spare patients from treatment-induced side-effects and reduce health expenditure., Funding: ELN Foundation and France National Cancer Institute., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Advances in chronic myeloid leukemia treatment, particularly regarding tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mandate regular updating of concepts and management. A European LeukemiaNet expert panel reviewed prior and new studies to update recommendations made in 2009. We recommend as initial treatment imatinib, nilotinib, or dasatinib. Response is assessed with standardized real quantitative polymerase chain reaction and/or cytogenetics at 3, 6, and 12 months. BCR-ABL1 transcript levels ≤10% at 3 months, <1% at 6 months, and ≤0.1% from 12 months onward define optimal response, whereas >10% at 6 months and >1% from 12 months onward define failure, mandating a change in treatment. Similarly, partial cytogenetic response (PCyR) at 3 months and complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) from 6 months onward define optimal response, whereas no CyR (Philadelphia chromosome-positive [Ph+] >95%) at 3 months, less than PCyR at 6 months, and less than CCyR from 12 months onward define failure. Between optimal and failure, there is an intermediate warning zone requiring more frequent monitoring. Similar definitions are provided for response to second-line therapy. Specific recommendations are made for patients in the accelerated and blastic phases, and for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Optimal responders should continue therapy indefinitely, with careful surveillance, or they can be enrolled in controlled studies of treatment discontinuation once a deeper molecular response is achieved.

The objective of this study was to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) aspects valued the most by patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving targeted therapies (TT), and to compare their perception with that of health-care professionals' (HCPs). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 137 CML patients receiving TT from five different countries. An additional sample of 99 CML patients, completing an online interview, was considered for supportive analyses. A sample of 59 HCPs from 12 countries also participated in the study. Patients and HCPs were asked to rate and rank the importance of a predefined list of 74 HRQOL aspects of potential relevance for CML patients. Patients and HCPs agreed that the following five aspects are most important: fatigue, muscle cramps, swelling, worries, and uncertainty about health condition in the future, and importance of social support in coping with the disease. However, the difference in rankings between the two groups was substantial with respect to other HRQOL aspects investigated. Patients valued some issues related to symptoms much higher than HCPs, thus suggesting that a better symptom management could be the crucial aspects to improve HRQOL of CML patients.

The treatment policy of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), particularly with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, has been influenced by several recent studies that were well designed and rapidly performed, but their interpretation is of some concern because different end points and methodologies were used. To understand and compare the results of the previous and future studies and to translate their conclusion into clinical practice, there is a need for common definitions and methods for analyses of CML studies. A panel of experts was appointed by the European LeukemiaNet with the aim of developing a set of definitions and recommendations to be used in design, analyses, and reporting of phase 3 clinical trials in this disease. This paper summarizes the consensus of the panel on events and major end points of interest in CML. It also focuses on specific issues concerning the intention-to-treat principle and longitudinal data analyses in the context of long-term follow-up. The panel proposes that future clinical trials follow these recommendations.

The only way to cure leukemia is by cooperative research. To optimize research, the European LeukemiaNet integrates 105 national leukemia trial groups and networks, 105 interdisciplinary partner groups and about 1,000 leukemia specialists from 175 institutions. They care for tens of thousands of leukemia patients in 33 countries across Europe. Their ultimate goal is to cure leukemia. Since its inception in 2002, the European LeukemiaNet has steadily expanded and has unified leukemia research across Europe. The European LeukemiaNet grew from two major roots: 1) the German Competence Network on Acute and Chronic Leukemias; and 2) the collaboration of European Investigators on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. The European LeukemiaNet has improved leukemia research and management across Europe. Its concept has led to funding by the European Commission as a network of excellence. Other sources (European Science Foundation; European LeukemiaNet-Foundation) will take over when the support of the European Commission ends.