PS31 - CML Booklet - 2019

PROVIDING THE LATEST INFORMATION FOR
PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS
Chronic Myeloid
Leukemia
Revised 2019
Support for this publication provided by

A six-word narrative about living with blood
cancer from patients in our LLS Community
Stay strong and keep moving forward. Find the positive in every day.
Be your own best patient advocate. Changed my life for the better.
Accept, learn and focus on present. Learning to live a different life.
Sudden and life changing—be positive. Waiting, worrying, anxiousness/
happy I’m alive! Embrace a new normal each day. 5 years, 41 infusions,
constant fatigue. Patience, positive attitude, hope and faith. Test to test,
I will survive! Treatment, fatigue, treatment, fatigue and survival.
Love life, live better every day. I don’t look back only forward. So far,
so good, live life. Meditation, mindfulness, wellness, faith, nutrition
and optimism. Finding the joy while living with uncertainty. Watch, wait,
treat, regroup, rest, re-energize. Blessed to be doing so well! Eye opening
needed learning and healing. Feel great: uncertain travel plans annoying.
Renewed faith, meditation, diet, mindfulness, gratitude. Watchful waiting
can be watchful worrying. Scary, expensive, grateful, blessings, hope,
faith. Thank god for stem cell transplants! Do not know what to expect.
Extraordinarily grateful, I love my life. Diagnosed; frightened; tested;
treating; waiting; hoping. I’m more generous, impatient less often.
Embrace your treatment day after day. Live today, accept tomorrow, forget
yesterday. Strength you never realized you had. Challenging to our hearts
and minds. Life is what we make it. Live life in a beautiful way.
Discover what thousands already have at

www.LLS.org/Community
Join our online social network for people who are living with or supporting
someone who has a blood cancer. Members will find
• T
housands of patients and caregivers sharing experiences and information,
with support from knowledgeable staff
• Accurate and cutting-edge disease updates
• The opportunity to participate in surveys that will help improve care.
Table of Contents
2 Introduction
2 Leukemia
3 What Is CML?
6 Signs and Symptoms
7 Diagnosis
9 Phases of CML and Prognostic Factors
12 Treatments for CML
25 Treating CML by Phase
27 Measuring Treatment Response
29 BCR-ABL1 Kinase Domain Mutation Analysis
32 Treatment-Free Remission
33 Children and Young Adults with CML
35 Fertility, Pregnancy and TKIs
36 Research and Clinical Trials
39 Follow-up Care
40 Incidence, Causes and Risk Factors
41 Normal Blood and Bone Marrow
44 Resources and Information
48 Health Terms
56 More Information
56 References
Acknowledgements
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society appreciates the review of this material by
Neil Shah, MD, PhD

Professor, Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology)
Program Leader, Hematopoietic Malignancies Program
Edward S. Ageno Distinguished Professorship in Hematology/Oncology
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
San Francisco, CA
Michael E. Rytting, MD
Professor, Department of Pediatrics Patient Care,
Division of Pediatrics,
The Children’s Cancer Hospital at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center,
Leukemia/Lymphoma Section,
Houston, TX
New treatments may have been approved since this book was printed.
Check www.LLS.org/DrugUpdates or call (800) 955-4572.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information. It is distributed as a public service by
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), with the understanding that LLS is not engaged in rendering medical or
other professional services.
Introduction
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), also known as chronic myelogenous leukemia,
is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and
invades the blood.
Approximately 8,990 new cases of CML are expected to be diagnosed in 2019.
As of 2015, the latest year for which statistics are available, an estimated 50,948
people are either living with or in remission from CML.1 See Incidence, Causes
and Risk Factors on page 40.
Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in 2001, CML
has been transformed from a life-threatening disease to a manageable chronic
condition for most patients. People with CML are living longer and experiencing
fewer treatment side effects, and the possibility of discontinuing treatment is now
feasible for select patients in remission who meet specific criteria.
The more you know about your disease, the better you can take care of yourself—
your mind, your body and your health. This booklet provides information about
CML, defines complicated terms, provides information about normal blood and
bone marrow, explains tests and treatments for CML and lists new research
options and clinical trials.
We trust that the information in this booklet will provide you with a good working
knowledge of CML, or that it will reinforce what you already know. We hope you
keep this booklet handy. Should you ever feel alone in confronting problems, we
hope you will turn to it for information, guidance and assistance in locating the
support and resources that you need.
We are here to help.
1
Source: Facts 2018-2019. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. April 2019.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow.
Bone marrow is the sponge-like tissue in the center of most bones. It produces
red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. In leukemia, cancerous blood cells
form and crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. The four major types
of leukemia are
{{Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
{{Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
{{Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
{{Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
2 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Leukemia is classified as either “acute” or “chronic.” These two terms describe
how quickly the disease progresses in the absence of treatment. Acute forms of
leukemia progress rapidly and produce cells that are not fully developed. These
immature cells cannot perform their normal functions. Chronic forms of leukemia
usually progress slowly, and patients have greater numbers of mature cells. In
general, these more mature cells can carry out some or all of their normal functions.
See Normal Blood and Bone Marrow on page 41.
Leukemia is further classified by the type of white blood cell, either “myeloid”
or “lymphoid,” that becomes cancerous. The name of each of the four types of
leukemia describes whether the disease progresses quickly (acute) or slowly
(chronic) and identifies the type of white blood cell that is involved (myeloid
or lymphoid).
What Is CML?
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a type of leukemia that progresses slowly
(is chronic) and involves the myeloid white blood cells in the bone marrow. It is
known by several other names, including
{{Chronic myelogenous leukemia
{{Chronic granulocytic leukemia
{{Chronic myelocytic leukemia
CML is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “myeloproliferative
neoplasm.” This is a type of disease in which the bone marrow makes too many
white blood cells. As the number of extra cells build up in the blood and/or
bone marrow, this disease usually gets worse slowly over time. This increased
accumulation of cells may eventually cause anemia, fatigue, bleeding and other
problems.
Visit www.LLS.org/booklets to reach the free LLS booklet The CML Guide:
Information for Patients and Caregivers.
The Philadelphia Chromosome and the BCR-ABL1 Fusion Gene. A

chromosome is an organized package of DNA found in the nucleus of a cell.
Human cells normally contain 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total): each pair looks
different from the others and is identified by a number. Chromosome pairs are
made up of one chromosome from each parent. Twenty-two of these pairs are
called “autosomes,” and they look the same in both males and females. The 23rd
pair consists of the sex chromosomes, which are different for males and females.
The pair in males is made up of one X chromosome and one Y chromosome,
while the pair in females is made up of two X chromosomes.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 3

Cells in the body have to make new copies of themselves to replace worn-out
cells. To make a new copy of itself, a cell duplicates all of its contents, including its
chromosomes, and then splits to form two cells. Sometimes errors occur during
the process of a cell copying itself or dividing into new cells. One type of error is
called a “translocation.” A translocation occurs when a piece of one chromosome
breaks off and attaches to another chromosome. This can result in a “fusion gene,”
an abnormal gene that is formed when two different genes are fused together.
All cases of CML are caused by the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. This gene is not found
in normal blood cells. The BCR-ABL1 gene is formed by a translocation between
parts of chromosomes 9 and 22 in a single bone marrow cell during cell division.
Part of chromosome 9 attaches to chromosome 22, and part of chromosome
22 attaches to chromosome 9, resulting in a longer-than-normal chromosome
9 and a shorter-than-normal chromosome 22. The abnormal chromosome 22 is
known as the “Philadelphia chromosome” (so called because it was discovered
at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia). “Ph” is the abbreviation for the Philadelphia
chromosome. The Ph abbreviation with a “plus” sign (Ph+) indicates the presence
of the abnormal Ph chromosome. A Ph abbreviation with a “negative” sign (Ph-)
indicates that the Ph chromosome is not detected in the disease cells (see Figure 1
on page 5).
The short piece of chromosome 9 has the ABL1 gene (named for the scientist who
discovered this gene, Herbert Abelson). The break on chromosome 22 involves
a gene called “BCR” (breakpoint cluster region). Part of the ABL1 gene moves to
chromosome 22 and fuses with the first portion of the BCR gene. The result of this
fusion is the leukemia-causing gene, called BCR-ABL1 (see Figure 2 on page 6).
Genes provide cells with instructions for making proteins. The ABL1 gene instructs
the cell to make a protein called a “tyrosine kinase.” This protein sends signals
that tell cells when to grow and divide. The abnormal BCR-ABL1 gene produces
an abnormal protein called “BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase.” This abnormal protein
displays an unusually high level of tyrosine kinase activity and signals blood stem
cells to produce too many granulocytes (white blood cells). These granulocytes
have the BCR-ABL1 gene and are therefore “leukemia cells” or “CML cells.” These
granulocytes are not completely normal and do not become healthy white blood
cells. They make new cells too quickly. Over time, additional mutations occur in
some of the CML cells, which results in the cells not maturing to become normal
white blood cells. Immature cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd out
healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. As a result, anemia,
infection or excessive bleeding may occur. This is known as the “blast crisis”
phase. See Phases of CML and Prognostic Factors on page 9.
4 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
More than 95 percent of CML patients have the Philadelphia chromosome.
This is called Ph+ CML. However, a very small number of CML patients have the
BCR-ABL1 gene but no detectable Philadelphia chromosome. This is called
Ph negative (Ph–) CML. Patients with CML who have the BCR-ABL1 gene
rearrangement but are Ph- have the same prognosis (likely outcome) as
Ph+ patients.
Some patients have a type of leukemia in which too many granulocytes are made
in the bone marrow. However, these patients are Ph— and do not have the
BCR-ABL1 gene. They may be diagnosed as having “atypical CML.” This means
there may be other, unknown oncogenes that caused the disease in these
patients. These patients generally have poorer responses to treatment and
shorter survival times.
Figure 1. Marrow Cell Chromosomes
Figure 1. Shown here is the set of chromosomes from a marrow cell of a female patient with CML. The higher
the chromosome number, the smaller the chromosome. The arrow in the fourth row indicates the shortened
arm of chromosome 22 (the Ph chromosome), characteristic of the leukemic marrow cells of patients with CML.
The arrow in the second row indicates chromosome 9, which is elongated. These two changes reflect the
translocation of chromosome material between chromosomes 9 and 22.
This figure kindly provided by Nancy Wang, PhD, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.

Figure 2. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia-Causing Event—How the
BCR-ABL1 Cancer-Causing Gene (Oncogene) Is Formed
Translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22
Normal Chromosomes CML Chromosomes
9 22 9 22 BCR-ABL1
oncogene
Piece of 9
BCR
Philadelphia
chromosome
ABL1
Piece of 22
Figure 2.
{{A portion of the ABL1 gene from chromosome 9 translocates and

fuses with the remaining portion of the BCR gene on chromosome
22. The translocated piece of chromosome 9 results in a fusion
gene called BCR-ABL1.
{{The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene directs the production of an abnormal
(mutant) protein, an enzyme called BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase (see
Figure 3 on page 9).
{{The abnormal enzyme protein is the principal factor in converting
the marrow stem cell from a normal cell into a leukemic cell.
Signs and Symptoms

Unlike other forms of leukemia, CML is a slow-growing disease and does not
completely interfere with the development of red blood cells, white blood cells
and platelets. Therefore, patients may have CML but have no signs or symptoms.
Those with symptoms often report experiencing
{{Weakness
{{Fatigue
{{Shortness of breath during basic everyday activities

{{Fever
{{Bone pain
{{Unexplained weight loss
6 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
{{Pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side, due to an
enlarged spleen
{{Night sweats
Many of the signs and symptoms occur because the CML cells crowd out the
bone marrow’s healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Anemia is a shortage of red blood cells that can cause weakness, fatigue and
shortness of breath. A shortage of normal white blood cells can increase the risk
of infection in CML patients and a shortage of platelets can lead to excessive
bruising or bleeding. Symptoms may also occur because CML cells collect in
organs such as the spleen.
Diagnosis
Many people with CML do not have symptoms when diagnosed. The most common
sign of CML is an abnormal white blood cell count, often found during blood tests for
an unrelated health problem or during a routine checkup.
To diagnose CML, doctors use a variety of tests to analyze blood and bone
marrow cells. A pathologist—a doctor who specializes in identifying diseases by
studying cells under a microscope—will examine the blood cells and the bone
marrow cells. The samples should also be examined by a hematopathologist, a
specialist who diagnoses diseases of the blood and marrow.
The following are some of the tests done to diagnose CML.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential. This test is used to measure the
number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a sample of blood.
It also measures the amount of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that
carries oxygen) in the red blood cells and the percentage of red blood cells in the
sample. The CBC should include a differential, which measures the different types
of white blood cells in the sample. People with CML often have
{{An increased white blood cell count, often very high levels
{{A decreased red blood cell count
{{The possibility of increased or decreased platelet counts depending on the
severity of the disease
Peripheral Blood Smear. In this test, blood cell samples are stained (dyed) and
examined with an optical microscope. These samples show
{{The number, size, shape and type of blood cells
{{The specific pattern of white blood cells

{{The proportion of immature cells (blast cells) compared to the proportion of
maturing and fully matured white blood cells.
Blast cells are not normally present in the blood of healthy individuals.
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy. These tests are used to examine bone
marrow cells to find abnormalities and are generally done at the same time. In
both cases, after medicine has been given to numb the skin, a needle is inserted
into the patient’s hip bone. For a bone marrow aspiration, the needle is inserted
into the bone marrow to remove a liquid sample of cells. For a bone marrow
biopsy, the needle removes a small sample of bone that contains marrow. Both
samples are examined under a microscope to look for chromosomal and other
cell changes.
Cytogenetic Analysis. Cytogenetics is the study of chromosomes and

chromosomal abnormalities. Samples from the bone marrow are examined under
a microscope for chromosomal changes or abnormalities, such as the Philadelphia
(Ph) chromosome. The presence of the Ph chromosome in the bone marrow cells,
along with a high white blood cell count and other characteristic blood and bone
marrow test findings, confirm the diagnosis of CML. In about 95 percent of people
with CML, the Ph chromosome in bone marrow cells is detectable by cytogenetic
analysis. In a small percentage of people with clinical signs of CML, the
Ph chromosome cannot be detected by cytogenetic analysis. However, they
almost always test positive for the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene on chromosome 22,
found with the other types of tests listed below.
FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization). FISH is a laboratory test used to

examine genes and chromosomes in cells. FISH is a slightly more sensitive
method for detecting CML than the standard cytogenetic tests that identify the
Ph chromosome. FISH can identify the presence of the BCR-ABL1 gene (see
Figure 3 on page 9). Genes are made up of DNA segments. FISH uses color
probes that bind to DNA to locate the BCR and ABL1 genes in chromosomes.
The BCR and ABL1 genes are labeled with two different chemicals, each of which
releases a different color. The color shows up on the chromosome that contains
the gene—normally chromosome 9 for ABL1 and chromosome 22 for BCR—so
FISH can detect the piece of chromosome 9 that has moved to chromosome 22 in
CML cells. The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene is shown by the overlapping colors of
the two probes.
8 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Figure 3. Identifying the BCR-ABL1 Gene Using FISH
Normal Abnormal
Figure 3. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, or FISH, is a testing method that uses fluorescent molecules to
mark the BCR-ABL1 gene in CML. In normal cells, two red and two green signals indicate the location of the
normal ABL1 and BCR genes, respectively. In abnormal cells, the fusion of BCR and ABL1 is visualized through
the fusion of the red and green signals. It is frequently detected as a yellow fluorescence (indicated above
by arrows).
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). The qPCR test is the most
sensitive test that detects and measures the quantity of the BCR-ABL1 gene in
blood or bone marrow samples. It can detect very small amounts of the
BCR-ABL1 gene (even when the Ph chromosome cannot be detected in blood
or bone marrow cells with cytogenetic testing), to a level of one CML cell among
100,000 to 1,000,000 normal cells.
Blood cell counts, bone marrow examinations, FISH and qPCR may also be used
to monitor a person’s response to therapy once treatment has begun. A qPCR test
is recommended every 3 months initially. Even for patients with relatively deep
remissions lasting at least 2 years, the test should continue to be done every
3 to 6 months.
Visit www.LLS.org/booklets to reach the free LLS booklet Understanding Lab
and Imaging Tests.
Phases of CML and Prognostic Factors

For most types of cancer, doctors assign a “stage” based on the size of the tumor
and whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
The doctor takes the patient’s stage into account when determining a prognosis
(likely outcome) and planning treatment. However, CML is not staged in the same
way as most cancers. Instead, CML is categorized into three groups, called “phases.”
Knowing the phase of CML helps doctors determine appropriate treatment and
predict a patient’s prognosis.

The three phases of CML are
{{Chronic phase
{{Accelerated phase
{{Blast phase (also called “blast crisis phase”)
Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the phase of CML. Determing the CML
phase is based primarily on the number of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the
patient’s blood and bone marrow. There are three different staging classification
systems for CML. Each of them uses slightly different percentages of blast cells to
define the phases. These differences apply to definitions of accelerated and blast
phases, but they do not have practical disease management implications in most
cases.
Chronic Phase. Most patients are diagnosed with CML in the chronic phase of the
disease. People with chronic phase CML
{{May or may not have symptoms
{{Have an increased number of white blood cells
{{Usually respond well to standard treatment
Specifically,
{{ symptoms go away, white blood cell counts return to normal
levels, hemoglobin concentration improves and the spleen reduces in size.
If untreated, chronic phase CML will eventually progress to accelerated phase
and/or blast phase CML.
Accelerated Phase. In the accelerated phase, the number of immature myeloid

blast cells has risen, and sometimes new chromosomal changes, in addition to the
Ph chromosome, occur.
People with accelerated phase CML may have
{{More than 20 percent basophils (type of white blood cell) in the bloodstream
{{More than 20 percent blasts in the blood and bone marrow
{{Low platelet counts unrelated to therapy
{{Increased spleen size
{{Worsening anemia (caused by low levels of red blood cells)
{{Additional chromosome abnormalities in the CML cells
In the accelerated phase, the number of CML cells grows faster and causes
symptoms such as fatigue, fever, weight loss and an enlarged spleen. If untreated,
accelerated phase CML will eventually transform into blast phase CML.
10 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Blast Phase (Also Called “Blast Crisis Phase”). The blast phase looks and
behaves like the acute form of myeloid leukemia.
People who have blast phase CML may have
{{Anemia
{{A very high white blood cell count

{{Very high or very low platelet counts
{{Blast cells that have spread outside the blood and/or the bone marrow to other
tissues and organs
{{CML cells with new chromosome abnormalities
{{Symptoms such as
Fever
{{
Fatigue
{{
Shortness
{{ of breath
Abdominal
{{ pain
Bone
{{ pain
Enlarged
{{ spleen
Poor
{{ appetite and weight loss
Bleeding
{{
Infections
{{
Prognostic Factors. There are other factors in addition to the phase of CML that
affect treatment decisions and predict a patient’s prognosis (likely outcome).
These are known as prognostic factors. The following are prognostic factors
for patients with CML at the time of diagnosis and also indicate when the likely
outcome is less favorable:
{{Phase of CML—Patients who have accelerated or blast phase CML have a less
favorable prognosis than those who have chronic phase CML.
{{Age—Patients age 60 years and older have a less favorable prognosis.
{{Spleen size—Patients with an enlarged spleen have a less favorable prognosis.
{{Plateletcount—Patients who have very high or very low platelet counts at
diagnosis have a less favorable prognosis.
{{Blasts in the blood—Patients who have a high number of blasts in the blood
have a less favorable prognosis.
{{Increased numbers of basophils and eosinophils in the blood—Patients with
increased numbers of these types of white blood cells have a less favorable
prognosis.

Many of these factors are used in prognostic scoring systems to predict the
outcome for patients with CML. Currently, there are three prognostic scoring
systems used to determine a patient’s risk at the time of diagnosis.
{{The Sokal score is based on the patient’s age, spleen size, platelet count and
the percentage of blast cells and basophils circulating in the peripheral blood
(blood circulating throughout the body).
{{The Hasford score uses the same factors as the Sokal system, but it also includes
the number of eosinophils and basophils circulating in the peripheral bloodstream.
{{The European Treatment and Outcome Study (EUTOS) score uses only the
percentage of basophils circulating in the peripheral bloodstream and spleen size.
See the section entitled More Information on page 56 for links to these scoring systems.
Doctors use risk scores to help determine treatment decisions. The Sokal and
Hasford systems categorize patients into three groups (low-risk, intermediate-risk
and high-risk) whereas the EUTOS score categorizes patients into only two groups
(low-risk or high-risk). Generally, a low-risk CML patient is likely to have a better
response to treatment.
Treatments for CML

Doctors who specialize in treating patients with CML are called

“hematologist-oncologists.” A hematologist-oncologist is a doctor who has special
training in diagnosing and treating blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma
and myeloma. These doctors can determine the most appropriate treatment
options for each patient.
Until recently, it was believed that CML could not be cured with current drug
therapies. But over time, more and more CML patients are achieving extremely
deep remissions. Some of these patients have been able to successfully
discontinue treatment with careful molecular monitoring. With current drug
therapies, most people diagnosed with chronic phase CML can expect to have
good quality of life for a normal lifespan.
The treatment of CML has improved significantly since the introduction of tyrosine
kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This included approval of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec®), the
first-generation TKI, in 2001; approval of the second-generation TKIs, including
dasatinib (Sprycel®) in 2006, nilotinib (Tasigna®) in 2007 and bosutinib (Bosulif®)
in 2012; and approval of ponatinib (Iclusig®), the third-generation TKI, in 2012. The
introduction of TKIs changed CML from a potentially fatal disorder to one that
can be controlled. However, not all patients respond to TKIs, and some patients
develop resistance to these drugs.
12 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed
brand-name drug in terms of dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration,
quality, performance characteristics and intended use. These similarities help to
demonstrate bioequivalence, which means that a generic medicine works in the
same way and provides the same clinical benefit as its brand-name version. In
other words, you can take a generic medicine as an equal substitute for its
brand-name counterpart. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employs
strict standards to ensure that generic drugs are bioequivalent to brand name
drugs in the US.
The approach for treating each patient and the choice of treatment is based on
the phase of CML at diagnosis, risk scores, age and the patient’s other health
issues. For a list of drugs used to treat CML, see Table 1 on page 22.
Lowering High White Blood Cell Counts. Some patients have very high white
blood cell (WBC) counts at the time of diagnosis. These elevated WBC counts can
sometimes impair blood flow to the brain, lungs, eyes and other sites, and also
cause damage in small blood vessels.
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea®) is sometimes given to lower very high WBC counts
rapidly, until a suspected CML diagnosis can be confirmed through blood and
bone marrow tests. Hydroxyurea is taken as a capsule by mouth. Hydroxyurea
can help reduce the size of the spleen. Once a diagnosis of CML is confirmed,
doctors usually start TKI therapy and discontinue hydroxyurea.
Leukapheresis is a procedure that uses a machine similar to a dialysis machine
to remove white blood cells from the circulating blood. Leukapheresis is used to
lower WBC counts in female patients diagnosed with chronic phase CML during
the first months of pregnancy, when other treatments may be harmful to fetal
development, or to immediately reduce a dangerously high WBC count. For more
information about fertility and pregnancy, see page 35.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a type
of targeted therapy taken orally as pills. Targeted therapies identify and attack
specific types of cancer cells while causing less damage to normal cells than
conventional treatments. In CML, TKIs target the abnormal BCR-ABL1 protein that
causes uncontrolled CML cell growth and block this abnormal protein’s ability to
function, causing the CML cells to die.
The first therapy given for a disease is called “initial” treatment. Four TKI drugs are
approved as initial therapy (first-line treatment) for chronic phase CML:
{{Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec®)
{{Dasatinib (Sprycel®)
{{Nilotinib (Tasigna®)
{{Bosutinib (Bosulif®)

The first treatment may not work because of intolerance to a particular drug
(intolerable side effects) or because of drug resistance (meaning the disease
does not respond to the drug). When an initial treatment does not work, a second
treatment option is tried. If both the initial treatment and the subsequent treatment
(second-line) fail to work, a third treatment option (third-line) can be offered to the
patient. In the case of resistance and/or intolerance to second-line treatments,
another TKI option for treatment is ponatinib (Iclusig®).
Patients with a history of cardiac disease or peripheral vascular disease need to
be monitored carefully and frequently during TKI treatment. It is rare, but some
patients treated with TKIs have developed serious cardiac side effects, including
congestive heart failure and QT interval prolongation (changes in heartbeat
rhythm). Many patients who develop adverse cardiac effects also have other
health problems and risk factors, including older age and a medical history of
cardiac disease.
Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec)
{{In 2001, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved imatinib as the first
TKI treatment for CML. Because imatinib was the first TKI, it is known as a “first-
generation” TKI.
{{This highly effective oral drug therapy brings about a stable remission in the
majority of people with chronic phase CML.
{{Imatinib has been a standard initial therapy (first-line treatment) for chronic
phase CML since 2001.
{{The FDA has approved imatinib to treat
Newly
{{ diagnosed adult and pediatric patients with Ph+ CML in chronic phase
Adults
{{ with Ph+ CML in blast crisis, accelerated phase or chronic phase after
failure of interferon-alpha therapy
{{Imatinib should be taken with a meal and a large glass of water.
{{The drug is generally well tolerated by the majority of both younger and older
patients, although most people experience some side effects. It is important for
patients to tell their doctors about any side effects, because most of them can
be managed. Common side effects of imatinib are
Nausea,
{{ vomiting and/or diarrhea
Muscle
{{ cramps and bone pain
Fatigue
{{
Rashes
{{
{{Although rare, serious side effects of imatinib include

Low blood counts. Having low numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells
{{
and platelets can increase a patient’s risk of anemia, infection and/or bleeding.
14 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Edema
{{ (fluid retention—swelling around the eyes, feet, lungs or heart)
Congestive
{{ heart failure (impaired ability of the heart to pump blood) and
left ventricular dysfunction (impaired functioning of the left side of the heart),
particularly in patients with other health issues and risk factors. Patients with
heart disease or risk factors for heart disease should be monitored and
treated for this condition.
Severe
{{ liver problems
{{Some CML patients are not able to tolerate the side effects of imatinib. For other
patients imatinib stops working, which is known as “imatinib resistance.” In some
cases, patients can overcome imatinib resistance by increasing the dose of
imatinib. Other patients, however, may need to take a different TKI. Fortunately,
there are other approved therapies for people with imatinib intolerance or
resistance. When imatinib is not a treatment option, doctors decide, along with
their patients, which of the other treatment options is the best alternative.
Dasatinib (Sprycel)
{{Dasatinibwas initially approved by the FDA in 2006. Because dasatinib was
developed after imatinib, it is called a “second-generation” TKI.
{{The FDA has approved dasatinib to treat adults with
Newly
{{ diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase
Chronic,
{{ accelerated or blast phase Ph+ CML with either resistance to or
intolerance of other treatments (including imatinib)
{{In 2017, dasatinib was approved by the FDA to include treatment for pediatric
patients with CML in chronic phase.
{{Dasatinib is taken once daily, either in the morning or evening, with or without
food. Patients taking an antacid medicine should take it either 2 hours before
or 2 hours after taking dasatinib.
{{Grapefruit products may increase the amount of dasatinib in the blood. Patients
should avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice and any supplement containing
grapefruit extract while taking dasatinib.
{{Studies of dasatinib have shown that it is more potent than imatinib and it
induces faster and deeper molecular responses. To date, dasatinib has not
been shown to increase survival compared to imatinib.
{{Common side effects of dasatinib include
Nausea
{{
Diarrhea
{{
Headache
{{
Fatigue
{{
Shortness
{{ of breath
Rash
{{
Fever
{{
{{Dasatinib may cause serious side effects, including

Low
{{ blood cell counts. Having low numbers of red blood cells, white blood
cells and platelets increase a patient’s risk of anemia, infection and/or
bleeding.
Fluid
{{ retention around the lungs, the heart or stomach. Patients should call
the doctor immediately if they get any of these symptoms: swelling all over
the body, weight gain, shortness of breath and cough (especially during
low levels of physical activity or at rest) and chest pain when taking a deep
breath.
Rarely,
{{ an increased risk of a serious condition called pulmonary arterial
hypertension (PAH), which is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
Doctors should check the heart and lungs of patients both before and during
treatment with dasatinib. If a patient is diagnosed with PAH while taking
dasatinib, the medication should be discontinued permanently. PAH may be
reversible after dasatinib is discontinued.
Nilotinib (Tasigna)
{{Nilotinib is a second-generation TKI approved by the FDA in 2007 to treat
CML, and is approved for
Newly
{{ diagnosed adults with Ph+ CML in chronic phase
Adults
{{ with Ph+ CML in chronic phase and accelerated phase who are
resistant to or intolerant of prior therapy (including imatinib)
{{In 2018, nilotinib was also approved for pediatric patients age 1 and older who
Are
{{ newly diagnosed and in chronic phase
Have
{{ resistance to or intolerance of prior TKI therapy
{{Grapefruit products increase the amount of nilotinib in the blood. This may
increase a patient’s chance for serious and life-threatening side effects.
Patients should avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice and any supplement
containing grapefruit extract while taking nilotinib.
{{Nilotinib is usually taken twice a day. It should be taken on an empty stomach.
Patients should avoid eating food for at least 2 hours before and also at least
1 hour after the dose is taken.
{{Studies have shown that nilotinib is more potent than imatinib and that it
induces faster and deeper molecular responses. To date, nilotinib has not
been shown to increase survival compared to imatinib.
16 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
{{One serious side effect of nilotinib is that it may cause heart rhythm problems
in some patients. This is sometimes caused by nilotinib interacting with other
drugs or supplements, so it is very important for patients to tell their doctors
about any supplements or medicines, including over-the-counter medicines
they are taking.
{{Patients who take histamine type 2 receptor antagonists/blockers (called H2
blockers) should take these medicines about 10 hours before or about 2 hours
after taking nilotinib. Patients taking antacids containing aluminum hydroxide,
magnesium hydroxide or simethicone should take these medicines about 2
hours before or about 2 hours after taking nilotinib.
{{Common side effects include
Nausea,
{{ vomiting, diarrhea
Rash
{{
Headache
{{
Fatigue
{{
Itching
{{
Cough
{{
Constipation
{{
Muscle and joint pain

{{
Runny
{{ or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
Fever
{{
Night
{{ sweats
{{Serious side effects of nilotinib include
Low
cells and platelets can increase a patient’s risk of anemia, infection and/or
bleeding.
QT
{{ interval prolongation, a serious heart problem that causes a change in
heartbeat rhythm that can be fatal. The patient should contact the doctor
immediately if he or she feels lightheaded, faint or has an irregular heartbeat
while taking nilotinib. Before starting nilotinib and during treatment with
nilotinib, the doctor should check the patient’s heart with a test called an
electrocardiogram (ECG).
Blood
{{ clots or blockages in blood vessels (arteries), which can cause
decreased blood flow to the leg, heart or brain
Liver
{{ damage symptoms, including yellow skin and eyes (“jaundice”)
Inflammation
{{ of the pancreas. Symptoms include stomach pain with nausea
and vomiting.

Hyperglycemia,
{{ a higher-than-normal amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood
Fluid
{{ retention. Symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid weight gain and
swelling.
Bosutinib (Bosulif)
{{Bosutinib is a second-generation TKI that was approved by the FDA in 2012 to
treat adults with chronic, accelerated or blast phase Ph+ CML with resistance to
or intolerance of prior therapy.
{{In 2017, bosutinib’s FDA approval was expanded to include treatment of adult
patients with newly-diagnosed chronic phase Ph+ CML.
{{Side effects include
Stomach
{{ pain, diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting
Fluid
{{ retention
Rash
{{
Fatigue
{{
{{Serious side effects include

Low
cells and platelets can increase a patient’s risk of anemia, infection and/or
bleeding.
Liver
{{ problems
Fluid
{{ retention around the lungs, heart and stomach
Kidney
{{ problems
Ponatinib (Iclusig)
{{The FDA approved ponatinib to treat CML in 2012. Ponatinib is a
third-generation TKI approved for
Adult
{{ patients in chronic, accelerated or blast phase CML for whom no other
TKI is indicated
Adult
{{ patients with the T315I mutation in chronic, accelerated or blast phase
CML
{{Ponatinib may be taken either with or without food.
{{Ponatinib targets all the changes (mutations) on the BCR-ABL1 protein that are
resistant to imatinib and other TKIs. However, this drug can cause severe side
effects and is not a good option for all patients.
18 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
{{The most common side effects include
Skin
{{ rash
Stomach-area
{{ (abdominal) pain
Fatigue
{{
Headache
{{
Dry
{{ skin
Fever
{{
Constipation
{{
High
{{ blood pressure
{{Serious or life-threatening risks include
Blood
{{ clots or blockages in blood vessels (arteries and veins). Patients
should get medical help right away if they have any of the following
symptoms: chest pain or pressure; pain in the arms, legs, back, neck or jaw;
shortness of breath; numbness or weakness on one side of the body; leg
swelling; headache; severe stomach pain; dizziness; decreased vision or
loss of vision; and/or trouble talking.
Heart
{{ problems, including heart failure, irregular, slow or fast heartbeats and
heart attack. Doctors will check patients’ heart function, both before and
during treatment with ponatinib. Patients with cardiovascular risk factors
should be referred to a cardiologist. Get medical help right away if you
have any of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or
irregular heartbeats, dizziness or feeling faint.
Liver
{{ problems, including liver failure. Symptoms may include yellowing of
the skin or white part of the eyes (jaundice), dark-colored urine, bleeding or
bruising, loss of appetite and sleepiness.
{{Other serious side effects include
High
{{ blood pressure
Pancreatitis
{{ (inflammation of the pancreas)
Neuropathy
{{ (damage to the nerves in the arms, brain, hands, legs or feet)
Serious
{{ eye problems that can lead to blindness or blurred vision
Severe
{{ bleeding
Fluid
{{ retention

Drug Interactions. The way TKIs work in the body can be affected by certain
drugs, herbal supplements and even some foods. Corticosteroids, anti-seizure
medication, antacids and the herbal supplement St. John’s Wort can make some
TKIs less effective. Some products may increase the amount of TKIs in the blood
to high, unsafe levels; these include certain antibiotics, antifungal medications and
grapefruit products.
TKIs can have serious or even deadly interactions with other prescription
medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements and even certain foods.
Patients should always provide their doctors with a list of any medications, herbal
supplements and vitamins they are taking to be certain that it is safe to take these
products while taking the TKIs. It is also important to ask the doctor about any
foods that should be avoided.
TKI Resistance. “Treatment response” is the term used to describe an

improvement in a disease that can be attributed to treatment. “Drug resistance” is
the term used when a disease has not responded to treatment. Drug resistance in
CML occurs when cancer cells do not respond to a drug that is being used to kill
or weaken the cancer.
“Primary resistance” is the term that describes resistance to a drug that is being
taken for the first time in the disease process. “Secondary resistance” occurs
when cancer cells initially respond to a treatment but then stop responding.
In CML, resistance is often caused by mutations in the BCR-ABL1 gene. These
mutations alter the shape of the BCR-ABL1 protein, which can affect the blocking
action of the TKI on BCR-ABL1, allowing cancer cells to grow again. Sometimes,
resistance to a TKI can be stopped by increasing the dose of the drug or by
switching to another type of TKI. Second-generation TKIs can be effective in
treating patients with mutations that are resistant to imatinib. BCR-ABL1 kinase
domain mutation analysis is a test that identifies the mutations in the BCR-ABL1
gene that are frequently responsible for TKI resistance (see page 29). This
information can help a doctor decide which drug to prescribe.
TKI Adherence. It is important for patients to take their TKIs as prescribed by their
doctor. “Adherence” to an oral therapy means that a patient
{{Takes the correct dose of medication
{{Takes the medication at the correct time
{{Never or rarely misses a dose
{{Never takes an extra dose
{{Does not take a dose with foods, liquids or other medications that are not
allowed
20 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
In most patients, TKIs can control CML. Patients should not skip doses to try to
reduce the side effects of the medication. Patients should tell their doctors about
any side effects that they are experiencing. Doctors can provide supportive
treatment (palliative care) to help patients manage these side effects.
Patients must take their medication as prescribed to achieve the best response.
Poor adherence to the medication regimen is a primary reason for inadequate
response to the prescribed treatment. Patients should not stop taking their
medication, nor should they take less than the amount prescribed, unless they are
instructed to do so by their doctors. Taking less than the amount prescribed can
affect how well the medication works and may result in less than optimal treatment
outcomes.

Table 1. Some Drugs Approved and/or in Clinical Trials for the Treatment of CML
Generic Name Drug Class Approved For
Imatinib mesylate Tyrosine- 1. Newly

diagnosed adults and
(Gleevec®) kinase children in chronic phase
inhibitor 2. Patients in chronic, accelerated or blast
(TKI) phase, after failure of interferon-alfa therapy
Dasatinib (Sprycel®) TKI 1. Newly

diagnosed adults in chronic phase
2. Adults resistant to or intolerant of prior
therapy in chronic, accelerated or
blast phase
3. Pediatric patients age 1 year and older in
chronic phase
Nilotinib (Tasigna®) TKI 1. N

ewly diagnosed adults in chronic phase
2. A
dults resistant to intolerant of prior
therapy in chronic or accelerated phase
3. N
ewly diagnosed pediatric patients age
1 year and older in chronic phase
4. P
ediatric patients age 1 year and older in
chronic phase who are resistant or
intolerant of prior TKI therapy
Bosutinib (Bosulif®) TKI 1. A

dults with chronic, accelerated or blast
phase with resistance to or intolerance of
prior therapy
2. Newly diagnosed adults in chronic phase
Ponatinib (Iclusig®) TKI 1. A

dults for whom no other TKI is indicated
2. Adults with the T315I mutation
Omacetaxine Protein Adults with chronic or accelerated phase

mepesuccinate synthesis who no longer respond to or have not been
(Synribo®) inhibitor able to tolerate two or more TKIs
The following drugs were used as initial therapy before TKIs were introduced.
They may continue to be used in select patients.
Interferon alfa (Roferon-A®, Intron A®)
Pegylated interferon alfa
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea®)
Cytarabine (Cytosar-U®)
Busulfan (Myleran®)
22 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is generally used only in patients with blast phase
CML to return the disease to the chronic phase. Very high-dose chemotherapy is
sometimes used to prepare patients for an allogeneic stem cell transplant.
Omacetaxine mepesuccinate (Synribo®), a protein synthesis inhibitor, is a
treatment option for adults with chronic or accelerated phase CML with resistance
to and/or intolerance of two or more TKIs. Omacetaxine can be used to treat
patients with all mutations (including the T315I mutation) that are resistant to TKIs.
In general, its use is limited to patients who have exhausted all other TKI options
and who are not candidates for an allogeneic transplant. Omacetaxine is given as
a liquid injected under the skin. The most common side effects include
{{Low red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts
{{Diarrhea
{{Nausea
{{Fatigue
{{Fever
{{Infection
{{Reaction at the injection site

Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a type of drug therapy that stimulates the
immune system. Interferon is a substance naturally made by the immune system,
but it can also be made in the laboratory. Interferon reduces the growth and
division of cancer cells.
Prior to the introduction of TKIs, interferon was considered first-line treatment for
patients who were not candidates for an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Currently,
interferon therapy is less commonly used as a treatment for CML because, in
general, TKIs are more effective and have fewer side effects. While interferon is no
longer used as a first-line treatment for CML, it may be an option for patients who
cannot tolerate the side effects of TKI therapy, or patients who are pregnant.
Interferon can cause significant side effects, including
{{Trouble with concentration and memory
{{Mood changes
{{Flu-likesymptoms, such as muscle aches, fatigue, fever, chills, headaches,
nausea and vomiting
{{Low red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts
These side effects continue as long as the patient uses the drug, but over time,
they may become easier to tolerate. However, many patients, cannot cope with
these side effects every day and need to discontinue treatment with interferon.

Recently, interferon has re-emerged as an option in CML treatment, with the
advent of pegylated formulations. Pegylation is a chemical process designed
to increase a drug’s stability and retention time in the blood, while allowing
for reduced dosing frequency. Pegylated interferon requires less frequent
administration and is better tolerated by patients.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSTC). Transplantation is an option

for some CML patients.
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. For certain patients with CML, allogeneic
stem cell transplantation (infusion of donor stem cells into a patient) is the
best-documented curative treatment at this time. However, this type of transplant
can cause serious or even life-threatening complications and side effects. In
addition, it is often not a good option for older patients or for patients who have
other health problems. Results are very similar with the use of stem cells from
matched siblings compared to use of cells from matched unrelated donors.
The decision to pursue allogeneic transplantation has become more
complicated because many patients have very good responses to TKIs. Although
transplantation has a proven curative track record for some CML patients,
treatment with TKIs may be able to control the disease for very long periods and
preserve quality of life without the serious side effects of transplantation.
A doctor will consider many important factors when deciding if an allogeneic
transplant is the preferred choice of treatment for a patient. These factors include
the patient’s age, general health, the phase of CML, prior poor response to
other treatments and the availability of a well-matched donor. Transplantation
is considered for patients who have resistance to at least two types of TKIs, for
patients whose CML is in accelerated or blast phase and for patients who are
intolerant to all TKIs.
The most important prognostic factor for survival post-transplant is the patient’s
phase of CML. Approximately 80 percent of patients with chronic phase CML will
be disease free for 5 years after transplant. In patients with accelerated phase
CML, approximately 40 to 50 percent are disease free after 5 years, and only 10 to
20 percent of blast phase patients are alive and disease free after 5 years.
Visit www.LLS.org/booklets to reach the free LLS booklet Blood and Marrow
Stem Cell Transplantation for more information about all types of transplant.
24 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Treating CML by Phase
Each phase of CML requires different treatment.
Treatment for Chronic Phase CML. TKI therapy is standard treatment for chronic
phase CML. TKIs are often successful at managing CML for long periods of time.
Four TKIs are approved as primary treatment for chronic phase CML:
{{Imatinib
{{Dasatinib
{{Nilotinib
{{Bosutinib
When choosing a first-line TKI, doctors may consider factors such as a patient’s
pre-existing health conditions, age and risk score, as well as the plus dose
schedule and drug cost. After the start of therapy, doctors will monitor patients to
evaluate treatment response. A patient who is responding well will stay on his or
her current drug therapy. If the patient is not meeting treatment milestones, the
doctor will need to find out why.
If the patient’s current treatment is not working, a BCR-ABL1 kinase domain
mutation analysis (see page 29) should be done to check for mutations of the
BCR-ABL1 gene. The doctor will also determine whether the patient has been
adhering to the treatment plan. There are a number of options at this point,
which include:
{{Advising patients who have not been taking their TKIs as prescribed about the
importance of adhering to their medication regimen
{{Increasing the dosage of the current drug (if possible)
{{Switching to another TKI, for example, switching from imatinib to dasatinib,
nilotinib, bosutinib or ponatinib
{{Trying other therapies (such as omacetaxine, an option for patients with
resistance or intolerance to two or more TKIs or interferon)
{{Assessing whether an allogeneic stem cell transplant is an option
Treatment for Accelerated Phase CML. The goal in treating accelerated phase
CML, just as with the chronic phase, is to eliminate all cells that contain the
BCR-ABL1 gene, leading to a remission. If this is not possible, the goal is to
return the disease to the chronic phase. Treatment at a specialized center with
doctors who have expertise in treating CML is recommended for patients in the
accelerated phase of the disease.
In accelerated phase CML, the cancer cells often acquire new genetic mutations
that may make treatments less effective. Patients should undergo BCR-ABL1 gene

mutation analysis (see page 29) before starting treatment to determine which
treatment option is best for them.
Treatment options for accelerated phase CML depend on the patient’s previous
treatments. If CML is diagnosed in the accelerated phase and the patient has
not yet received a TKI, one treatment option is to begin TKI therapy. The drugs
approved for TKI therapy include
{{Imatinib
{{Dasatinib
{{Nilotinib
{{Bosutinib
If the CML progresses from chronic phase to accelerated phase during TKI
therapy, a doctor may increase the dosage of the current TKI (if possible) or
prescribe another TKI that the patient has not received before. Other options
include
{{The TKI ponatinib, for patients who have not responded to two or more TKIs
and for patients who have the T315I mutation
{{The drug omacetaxine (an option only for patients who have experienced
resistance to or intolerance of two or more TKIs)
{{An allogeneic stem cell transplant
Another option for patients with accelerated phase CML is to receive treatment
in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are studies done by doctors to test new drugs and
treatments, or new uses for approved drugs and treatments. Clinical trials are one
way for patients to obtain state-of-the-art cancer treatments. The goal of clinical
trials for CML is to improve treatment and quality of life and to find a cure. Patients
should talk to their doctors about the potential benefits and risks of participating in
a clinical trial. See Research and Clinical Trials on page 36.
Treatment for Blast Phase CML. Patients with blast phase CML have leukemia
cells that have become very abnormal. Blast phase disease acts more like acute
leukemia, with higher blood counts and more severe symptoms. Treatment
at a specialized center with doctors who have expertise in treating CML is
recommended for patients in the blast phase of the disease.
Two important tests are needed before starting treatment for blast phase CML:
{{The first test determines whether the blast phase involves myeloid or lymphoid
blast cells. This test is important because the type of blast cells is a factor in the
treatment decision.
{{The second test, a BCR-ABL1 kinase domain mutation analysis (see page 29),
checks for mutations in the part of the BCR-ABL1 gene that is targeted by TKIs.
26 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Different mutations can make the BCR-ABL1 protein either more or less resistant
to certain TKIs.
One option for patients with blast phase CML is to receive treatment within a clinical
trial. Patients should talk to their doctors about the potential benefits and risks of
participating in a clinical trials. See Research and Clinical Trials on page 36.
Another treatment option is for patients to receive TKI therapy, either with or without
chemotherapy, and then proceed to an allogeneic stem cell transplant. In general
the more potent second-generation TKIs are preferred for blast phase CML.
Patients who respond to these drugs may still want to consider allogeneic stem cell
transplantation. An allogeneic stem cell transplant is more likely to be successful if
the disease can be returned to the chronic phase before transplantation.
Measuring Treatment Response

After patients begin treatment, their doctors will periodically order blood and bone
marrow tests to determine whether they are responding to treatment. A “treatment
response” is an improvement related to the patient’s treatment. Monitoring
treatment response is one of the key strategies for managing CML. In general, the
greater the response to drug therapy, the longer the disease will be controlled.
Table 2 on page 30 shows the different types of treatment responses for CML.
There are three types of responses: hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular.
Hematologic Response. This response is described as either “partial” or

“complete,” depending on the results of a complete blood count (CBC) with
differential. This test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells
(including the different types of white blood cells) and platelets in the blood.
{{Partial hematologic response—The numbers of each type of blood cell begin to
return to a normal level.
{{Complete hematologic response (CHR)—The blood counts have returned
to normal. Most patients on TKI therapy will have a complete hematologic
response within 1 month of beginning treatment.
Cytogenetic Response. This is a measurement of the number of cells in the bone

marrow that contain the Ph chromosome (Ph+). Either cytogenetic analysis or a
FISH test is used to measure this.
{{Minor cytogenetic response—The Ph chromosome is found in more than
35 percent of cells in the bone marrow.
{{Major cytogenetic response (MCyR)—There are 35 percent or fewer cells the
Ph chromosome. This term is sometimes used to describe either a complete or
partial cytogenetic response.

{{Partial cytogenetic response (PCyR)—The Ph chromosome is found in 1 to
35 percent of bone marrow cells.
{{Complete cytogenetic response (CCyR)—No cells with the Ph chromosome can
be detected in the bone marrow.
Cytogentic analysis of bone marrow cells (bone marrow cytogenetics) is done at

3 month intervals to check the patient’s response to therapy, if a reliable qPCR test
is not available (see Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction on page 9).
Molecular Response. A molecular response is a decrease in the number of
cells with the BCR-ABL1 gene. A qPCR test measures the number of cells in
the peripheral bloodstream that contain the BCR-ABL1 gene. A patient’s initial
molecular response to treatment is significant in predicting outcome and in
determining further treatment options.
{{In an early molecular response, the BCR-ABL1 level is 10 percent or less at
3 and 6 months after the start of treatment. This means that no more than
10 percent of cells—(10 out of every 100 cells)—have the BCR-ABL1 gene.
{{In a major molecular response (MMR), the BCR-ABL1 level has decreased to
0.1 percent. This means that 1 out of every 1,000 cells has the BCR-ABL1 gene.
This is also referred to as a “3-log reduction.”
{{In a complete molecular response (CMR), no cells with the BCR-ABL1 gene are
found by qPCR. It is also referred to as a “deep molecular response.”
The International Scale (IS). This is a standardized scale for measuring qPCR
test results. The qPCR test measures the number of cells that have the BCR-ABL1
gene. It is used to determine how well treatment is working. The International Scale
defines the standard baseline as BCR-ABL1 100 percent. A log reduction indicates
the BCR-ABL1 level has decreased by a certain amount from the standard baseline.
{{1-log reduction indicates that the BCR-ABL1 levels have decreased to 10 times
below the standardized baseline. This means that 10 percent of cells (10 out
of every 100 cells) have the BCR-ABL1 gene. This is also written as “BCR-ABL1
10 percent.” This reduction is equivalent to an early molecular response when
achieved within 3 to 6 months of starting treatment.
{{2-log reduction means that BCR-ABL1 levels have decreased to 100 times
below the standardized baseline. This means that 1 percent of cells (1 out of
every 100 cells) have the BCR-ABL1 gene. This is also written as “BCR-ABL1
1 percent.”
{{3-log reduction indicates that the BCR-ABL1 levels have decreased to 1,000
times below the standardized baseline. This means that 0.1 percent of cells
(1 out of every 1,000 cells) have the BCR-ABL1 gene. This is written as
“BCR-ABL1 0.1%.” It is also known as a “major molecular response” (MMR).
{{4.5-log reduction is referred to as a “complete molecular response” (CMR) or
a “deep molecular response.” Doctors may refer to this as “MR4.5.” A 4.5-log
28 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
reduction indicates that 0.0032% of cells (1 out of every 32,000 cells) have the BCR-
ABL1 gene. Achieving a deep molecular response is a sign of disease remission.
Patients who achieve and then sustain a deep molecular response for a significant
period of time may be considered candidates for discontinuing drug therapy under
careful medical supervision. See Treatment-Free Remission on page 32.
Unfortunately, qPCR tests may not be standardized from laboratory to laboratory.

Different laboratories may establish their own standardized baseline values. So,
the same sample may produce slightly different results at different labs. Because
of this, it is best to have samples sent to the same laboratory each time in order to
receive consistent results. This will help patients and members of the healthcare
team monitor treatment response more effectively.
For patients, qPCR testing is recommended every 3 months initially. After 2 years
of achieving and maintaining a BCR-ABL1 level of 1 percent or less, the test should
be done every 3 to 6 months.
BCR-ABL1 Kinase Domain Mutation Analysis

Sometimes mutations occur in the part of the BCR-ABL1 gene that alters the shape
of the BCR-ABL1 protein. This can affect how TKIs bind to the BCR-ABL1 protein to
block the growth signals.
A BCR-ABL1 kinase domain mutation analysis is a test that looks for mutations in
the BCR-ABL1 gene that may cause certain TKIs to stop working. A BCR-ABL1 gene
mutation analysis should be performed if there is
{{An inadequate response to initial TKI therapy
{{A failure to meet a treatment milestone
{{A loss of hematologic response, loss of cytogenetic response, 1-log increase
in BCR-ABL1 levels or a loss of major molecular response in the context of
continuous therapy
{{Progression to accelerated phase or blast phase CML
Mutation testing does not need to be done in patients who are switching
medication because of side effects.
Among the BCR-ABL1 mutations:
{{T315I is resistant to imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib and bosutinib
{{F317L and V299L are resistant to dasatinib
{{Y253H, E255K/V and F359C/V are resistant to nilotinib
{{T315I, G250E and V299L are resistant to bosutinib
E255K/V, F359C/V and T315I are the mutations most commonly associated with
disease progression and relapse.

Table 2. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Responses
Test Used to
Type of Response Features
Measure Response
Hematologic Complete • Blood counts Complete blood
hematologic completely return count (CBC) with
response (CHR) to normal differential
• No blasts in the
peripheral blood
• No signs or
symptoms of
disease; spleen
returns to normal size
Cytogenetic Complete No Philadelphia Bone marrow

cytogenetic (Ph) chromosome cytogenetics
response (CCyR) detected or FISH
Partial 1% to 35% of cells

cytogenetic have the
response (PCyR) Ph chromosome
Major cytogenetic 35% or fewer

response (MCyR) cells have the
Ph chromosome
Minor cytogenetic More than 35% of

response cells have the
Ph chromosome
Molecular Complete No BCR-ABL1 gene Quantitative PCR

molecular detectable (qPCR) using
response (CMR) International
Scale (IS)
Major molecular At least a 3-log
response (MMR) reduction* in
BCR-ABL1 levels or
BCR-ABL1 0.1%
* A 3-log reduction is a 1/1,000 or 1,000-fold reduction of the level of cells with the BCR-ABL1 gene.
Table 2. Treatment responses for CML. Source: NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Chronic Myelogenous
Leukemia, version 1.2019.
For people who experience a loss of response to a TKI, or those who do not
achieve the expected response within a given period of time (see Table 3 on
page 31), the most common options are switching to another approved TKI or
participating in a clinical trial.
30 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Table 3. Treatment Response Milestones and Follow-up Recommendation
Guidelines
TIME AFTER START OF TREATMENT
BCR-ABL1 (IS) 3 months 6 months 12 months* More than
15 months
> 10% YELLOW RED
> 1% – 10% GREEN YELLOW RED
≤ 1% GREEN
Color Treatment Team Potential Decisions

Concern
Code Considerations About Treatment
RED TKI-resistant • E
valuate patient • Switch to alternate TKI
disease compliance and drug • Evaluate for allogeneic
interactions stem cell
• C
onsider BCR-ABL1 transplantation
gene mutation testing
YELLOW Possible TKI • E

valuate patient • Switch to alternate TKI
resistance compliance and drug OR
interactions • C ontinue same TKI
• C
onsider BCR-ABL1 (other than imatinib)
gene mutation testing OR
• C
onsider bone marrow • D ose escalation of
cytogenetic testing to imatinib (to a max of
assess for MCyR at 800 mg)
3 months or CCyR at AND
12 months • C onsider evaluation
for allogeneic stem cell
transplantation
GREEN No concerns • Monitor response • Continue same TKI†

– treatment is • M
onitor and manage
working side effects as needed
Table 3. Adapted from NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia; version 1.2019.
Abbreviations: McYR, major cytogenic response; CCyR; complete cytogenic response; TKI, tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
*BCR-ABL1 0.1% at 12 months is associated with a very low probability of disease progression and a high likelihood of
achieving a subsequent MR4.5, which may allow for discontinuation of TKI therapy.
†Discontinuation of TKI with careful monitoring is possible in selected patients.
Every patient responds differently to CML drug therapy. These general guidelines
for CML drug therapy are available online from the National Comprehensive
Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Leukemia Net (ELN). (See the section
entitled More Information on page 56 for links to these and other resources.)
An individual’s CML drug therapy response is measured against his or her own
results at the start of therapy (the start of therapy is called “baseline”). A complete
molecular response is optimal, but only some patients attain this. Even without a
complete molecular response, CML may be well controlled by drug therapy.
Treatment-Free Remission
Because of advances in the understanding of CML, as well as the very successful
treatment of patients with TKIs, treatment-free remission (TFR) is now an emerging
treatment goal. Many patients with CML have achieved a deep and stable response
to treatment. Treatment-free remission is achieved when a patient who has
discontinued TKI therapy maintains a deep molecular response (DMR, also known
as complete molecular response or CMR) and does not need to restart treatment.
The feasibility and safety of discontinuing TKI therapy has been evaluated in
several studies. Patients in the chronic phase of CML who have maintained a stable
and deep molecular response (DMR) for at least two years are considered good
candidates for TKI therapy discontinuation under careful medical supervision.
In 2017, the FDA expanded the nilotinib product label to include the safe
discontinuation of this medication for two patient groups:
{{Adult patients with newly diagnosed CML in chronic phase who were treated
with nilotinib for 3 or more years and who have achieved DMR for at least
2 years
{{Adult chronic-phase CML patients who received frontline treatment with
imatinib and who switched to nilotinib due to resistance to or intolerance of
imatinib, and who received nilotinib for 3 or more years and have achieved
DMR for at least 1 year
Table 4, below, lists the main clinical criteria for patients who want to attempt to
discontinue TKI therapy and achieve treatment-free remission.
Table 4. Patient Clinical Criteria for TKI Discontinuation
Parameter Criteria
Age 18 years and older
CML phase Chronic phase only
BCR-ABL1 transcripts e13a2, e14a2, or e13a2 + e14A2
TKI treatment duration At least 3 years
Molecular response MR4.5
DMR duration At least 2 years
Prior treatment history No disease progression, resistance or

suboptimal response
Table 4 shows the clinical criteria for TKI therapy discontinuation.

Abbreviations: DMR, deep molecular response; MR4.5, molecular response of 4.5-log reduction on the International
Scale, indicating complete molecular response; TKI, tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
32 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
CML patients have many reasons to attempt treatment-free remission. Motivations
may include convenience, economic savings and quality-of-life factors. After
discontinuing TKI therapy, some patients might experience musculoskeletal pain.
This is known as TKI withdrawal syndrome. Generally, the pain can be managed
with over-the-counter pain medication. Although this syndrome can last for months,
it can often be controlled with nonprescription drugs or nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and in more severe cases, with corticosteroids.
CML patients may be reluctant to try treatment-free remission due to fear of
relapse or disease progression. In the case of relapse, nearly all patients who
need to restart therapy are able to obtain and maintain a major molecular
response again. Treatment-free remission periods may last from a few months to
many years.
Patients should discuss with their treatment team whether attempting treatment-
free remission may be a potential option in their case. Consultation with an
experienced CML doctor is essential.
For more information on this topic, please see the free LLS publication
Treatment-Free Remission for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients.
Children and Young Adults with CML

A small percentage of patients diagnosed with CML are children and young adults.
From 2011 to 2015, the most recent 5-year period for which data are available, CML
accounted for about 3.1 percent of new cases of leukemia in children, adolescents
and young adults younger than age 20.
The treatment of children with CML is not standardized. It often follows guidelines
developed for adults, even though there are differences between CML in children
and adults in terms of disease presentation and progression. Some studies
indicate that children and young adult patients have lower rates of complete
cytogenetic and major molecular responses compared with older adults. Children
and young adults might have a slightly higher risk of transformation to accelerated
and blast phase. Children with CML should be treated by pediatric
hematologist-oncologists (doctors who specialize in treating pediatric patients
with blood cancer).
Although there are not a great number of studies focused on the treatment of
pediatric patients with CML, there is evidence that imatinib may slow growth,
particularly in children who are treated before they reach puberty. Other rare side
effects of imatinib seen in adults, such as cardiotoxicity and thyroid dysfunction,
appear to be very rare in children.

The following medications are used in the treatment of children with CML.
{{Imatinib (Gleevec®) is approved to treat newly diagnosed pediatric patients
with Philadelphia chromosome positive CML (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase.
{{Dasatinib (Sprycel®) is approved to treat pediatric patients age 1 year and
older with Ph+ CML in chronic phase.
{{Nilotinib (Tasigna®) is approved for pediatric patients age 1 year and older with
Newly
{{ diagnosed CML in chronic phase
Chronic-phase
{{ CML in children resistant to or intolerant of prior TKI therapy.
Because children with CML may receive TKI therapy for much longer than adults
and during periods of active growth, follow-up care is very important. In addition
to evaluating responses to therapy, doctors should also monitor the following in
their pediatric patients:
{{Height and weight—Doctors should consider a bone scan and a bone density
scan if there is evidence of abnormal growth.
{{Puberty—Doctors should refer patients to an endocrinologist if there is a delay
in puberty.
{{Thyroid function
{{Heart—Patients should have an annual echocardiogram.
Poor adherence to therapy, particularly in adolescents and young adults, is an
additional concern. With oral TKIs, it is essential to follow the doctor’s directions
and keep taking the medication for as long as prescribed. Nonadherence to TKI
treatment (meaning the patient does not take the medication as scheduled) is
known to increase the risk of lower response or possibly treatment failure.
Taking into account the potential concerns of lifelong TKI treatment, researchers
are studying TKI discontinuation after a period of complete molecular response.
Treatment-free remission is now considered a goal of treatment for selected
patients and is a focus of study in various ongoing clinical trials (see page 36).
Intermittent TKI dosing is another potential method to reduce long-term side
effects in pediatric CML patients, but more studies are needed to evaluate this
approach. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is an additional treatment option,
but it is generally used in cases of relapse or accelerated/blast phase CML.
Because there have been no randomized controlled trials comparing stem cell
transplantation with imatinib use in children, due to the small number of pediatric
patients, the decision on how to treat CML has been individualized. Stem cell
transplantation should be evaluated against the complications associated with
lifelong TKI use.
34 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Talk to your child’s doctor about the best treatment option for your child and any
concerns regarding the risks associated with your child’s therapy. It is important for
your child to be seen by a doctor who specializes in pediatric leukemia.
Visit www.LLS.org/booklets to reach the free LLS booklets Choosing a Blood
Cancer Specialist or Treatment Center Facts and Coping with Childhood
Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Fertility, Pregnancy and TKIs

Patients who are of childbearing age, as well as the parents of children with
cancer, should ask their healthcare team to explain how treatment may affect the
ability to have children. Patients with CML who will be taking TKIs should discuss
fertility preservation with their doctor before starting TKI therapy.
Growing numbers of CML patients of childbearing age are living with stable
remissions and are considering having children while taking TKIs. In some men
who take TKIs, researchers have observed low sperm counts and poor sperm
motility decreased (ability for sperm to move). Male patients should consider
having a fertility evaluation before trying to conceive a baby. Prior to treatment,
men may want to consider cryopreservation (sperm banking). Depending on the
TKI, their doctor may recommend discontinuing treatment 3 to 4 weeks prior to a
planned conception. Men taking imatinib at the time of conception are not at risk
of passing on the Ph chromosome abnormalities of CML to their children. Most
medical experience to date suggests there is little risk associated with fathering
children while on TKI therapy.
For female patients who want to become pregnant, however, the issues are more
complex and there is limited data. Imatinib, dasatinib and nilotinib are known to
cause embryonic or fetal toxicities in animal studies. In some instances, female
patients receiving TKI therapy at the time of conception have had miscarriages or
babies born with congenital abnormalities.
A patient should consult with her hematologist-oncologist, as well as a high-risk
obstetrician, to discuss the potential risks of discontinuing TKI therapy during
pregnancy, versus the potential risks to the fetus of continuing TKI therapy. Doctors
may advise planning the pregnancy when the patient’s response to therapy is
as deep as possible, at least a major molecular response. The patient would
stop therapy prior to conception and during the pregnancy. The patient would
then resume TKI therapy immediately after the birth of her child and refrain from
breastfeeding. During pregnancy the patient should be closely monitored through
blood tests for signs of disease progression. This option should only be done
under the close observation of a hematologist-oncologist and an obstetrician who
specializes in high-risk pregnancies.

At present, there are no data to suggest that either imatinib or any other TKI
drug can be taken safely during pregnancy. Current recommendations include
counseling so that potential parents understand the
{{Risk of relapse for mothers who discontinue therapy during pregnancy
{{Risk of congenital abnormalities for babies exposed to TKIs during pregnancy
{{Need for women on TKI therapy to refrain from breastfeeding their babies
{{Treatment options, both during and after pregnancy
Treatment-free remission is now an emerging treatment goal for many patients
with CML who have achieved a deep and stable response to treatment for at least
two years. The medication nilotinib has been approved for safe discontinuation
in a select group of patients who meet specific criteria. Female patients who are
interested in having children should discuss all their options with their treatment
team, including the possibility of achieving treatment-free remission. See page 32
for more information on this topic.
Research and Clinical Trials

Every new drug or treatment regimen goes through a series of studies called
“clinical trials” before it becomes part of standard therapy. Clinical trials are
carefully designed and reviewed by expert clinicians, researchers and patient
advocates to ensure safety and scientific accuracy. Participation in a carefully
conducted clinical trial may be the best available treatment option. Patient
participation in past clinical trials has resulted in the therapies we have today.
People with CML are encouraged to explore treatment options in clinical trials.
Many clinical trials that test new drugs and treatments are supported by LLS
research programs. New drugs and therapies are tested in clinical trials before
they are approved by the FDA as standard treatments.
There are clinical trials for newly diagnosed patients, for patients with advanced
disease and for patients who are either resistant or intolerant to their current
medications. Clinical trials hold promise to further improve treatment outcomes
in CML patients.
LLS Information Specialists, available at (800) 955-4572, offer guidance on how
patients can work with their doctors to determine if a specific clinical trial is an
appropriate treatment option. LLS offers help for patients and caregivers in
understanding, identifying and accessing clinical trials. When appropriate, patients
and caregivers can work with Clinical Trial Nurse Navigators who will help find
clinical trials and personally assist them throughout the entire clinical trial process.
Visit www.LLS.org/CTSC for more information.
36 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Research Approaches. The following approaches are under study in clinical trials
for the treatment of patients with CML.
Improving Current Treatments. Based on the positive results of tyrosine kinase
inhibitor (TKI) therapy in chronic phase CML, many trials are looking at ways to
further optimize the use of these drugs. This research includes
{{Determining which TKI should be used as initial therapy for different patients
with chronic phase CML
{{Establishing the best time to switch patients to second-line therapy
{{Finding out whether deeper responses are achieved when other agents are
added to TKIs
{{Preventing and/or predicting long-term side effects of TKIs
{{Determining which patients can successfully discontinue TKI therapy
New Drug Therapies and Drug Combinations

{{Asciminib (ABL001) is an investigational tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that
binds to the ABL1 portion of the BCR-ABL1 fusion protein at a location that is
distinct from the ATP-binding domain. This medication is currently under study
in clinical trials in combination with other TKIs, such as imatinib and dasatinib.
{{Ruxolitinib (Jakafi®) is a pan-Janus kinase inhibitor that is already approved
to treat patients who have been diagnosed with myelofibrosis or polycythemia
vera. This drug is being studied in clinical trials in combination with TKIs.
{{Ipilimumab (Yervoy®) is a monoclonal antibody and also an immune checkpoint
inhibitor that is currently being evaluated, in combination with dasatinib, in
patients with chronic or accelerated phase CML.
{{Tyrosine kinase inhibitor in combination with pioglitazone. Pioglitazone is a
drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. In early studies, it has shown the ability to
induce cell death in leukemic cells when combined with a TKI.
{{Tyrosine kinase inhibitor in combination with interferon alpha. Several
studies have shown improved molecular response rates when using this
combination, compared with imatinib alone.
TKI Discontinuation Studies. Treatment of CML with TKIs has advanced to a

point where many patients are able to achieve deep and durable remissions.
The feasibility and safety of discontinuing TKI therapy, along with close monitoring
of carefully selected patients who have achieved and maintained a deep
molecular response (DMR) for at least two years, continues to be evaluated
in several long-term studies. (TKI discontinuation can also occur outside of a
clinical trial, under certain circumstances.) For more information on treatment-free
remission, see page 32.

WT1 Peptide Vaccine. The Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) protein is expressed in CML, acute
myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells, making this
protein a good target for immunotherapy. A WT1 peptide vaccine is currently under
study in clinical trials for CML to test whether the vaccine can increase the number
of immune cells responding to the cancer and thereby slow progression of the
disease. See the free LLS booklet Immunotherapy Facts for information about the
development of blood cancer vaccines.
Visit www.LLS.org/booklets to see the free LLS booklet Immunotherapy Facts.
Reduced-Intensity Stem Cell Transplantation. A modified form of allogeneic

transplantation known as “reduced-intensity” or “nonmyeloablative” allogeneic
stem cell transplantation may be an option for CML patients who do not respond
to other treatments. Patients being prepared for a reduced-intensity transplant
receive lower doses of chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation in preparation for
the transplant, compared to the doses given to patients receiving a traditional
allogeneic transplant. The theory being tested with a reduced-intensity transplant
is that by undergoing less toxic procedures prior to the transplant, the body is
better able to withstand the transplant. However, full donor engraftment would
ideally still take place, and the desired graft-versus-leukemia effect would still
occur. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the use of this type of transplantation
in adult and pediatric patients.
Visit www.LLS.org/booklets to see the free LLS booklet Blood and Marrow
Stem Cell Transplantation.
38 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Follow-up Care
CML follow-up care varies from patient to patient. CML patients
{{Will need to see their doctor on a regular basis. The doctor will evaluate their
health, check blood cell counts and their molecular responses to treatment
using qPCR tests, and possibly perform bone marrow tests.
{{Are advised to receive certain vaccinations, including vaccinations for influenza
and pneumococcal pneumonia. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines
available for adults: a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and a
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Immunizations using live organisms
or with high viral loads, such as the herpes zoster or the Zostavax® vaccine (the
live shingles vaccine), should not be administered. CML patients can receive
the shingles vaccine Shingrix®, because it is an “inactivated” rather than a “live”
vaccine. Your doctor can give you more information.
{{Always need to keep good records and treatment notes. This information
should include
Doctors’
{{ names and contact information
Medical
{{ history
CML
{{ diagnosis
Copies
{{ of all pathology reports
A
{{ list of all treatments
Names
{{ of drugs
Transplant
{{ information
Any
{{ other important information

Incidence, Causes and Risk Factors
Incidence. CML is a relatively rare disease. From 2011-2015 the incidence of
CML was 1.8 per 100,000 men and women (see Figure 4, below). CML is slightly
more common in men than it is in women, and most cases of CML occur in adults.
According to the National Cancer Institute, CML is most frequently diagnosed in
people between the ages of 80 and 84. The median age at diagnosis is 65 years.
A small number of children develop CML (See the section Children and Young
Adults with CML on page 33).
Figure 4. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Age-Specific

Incidence Rates 2011-2015

10.3
10.1
10
8.7
Incidence Rate per 100,000 People
6.3
4.9
4
3.3
2.4
2.0
2 1.7
1.4
0.9 1.1
0.7
0.4 0.2 0.4
0.1 0.1 0.1
0
<1 1-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+
Age in Years
Figure 4. The horizontal axis shows five-year age intervals. The vertical axis shows the frequency of new
cases of CML per 100,000 people, by age-group.
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program; National Cancer Institute; 2018.
Causes. No one is born with CML. It is not passed from parent to child. It occurs
when there is an injury to the DNA of a single bone marrow cell. The mutated
cell multiplies uncontrollably and crowds out the healthy red blood cells, white
blood cells and platelets in the bone marrow. The CML cells then overflow into
the bloodstream. Because CML is a slow growing form of leukemia, it does not
completely interfere with the development of mature red blood cells, white blood
cells and platelets. As a result, CML is generally less severe than acute forms of
leukemia and often patients do not have any symptoms when they are diagnosed
with CML.
Risk Factors. A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of

developing a disease. The following are risk factors for CML:
{{Gender—CML is slightly more common in males than females.
{{Age—The risk of developing CML increases with age.
40 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
{{Radiation exposure—In a small number of patients, CML is caused by exposure
to very high doses of radiation (such as being a survivor of an atomic bomb
blast or a nuclear reactor accident).
A
{{ slight increase in risk also occurs in some individuals treated with high-
dose radiation therapy for other cancers, such as lymphoma. But most
people treated for cancer with radiation do not develop CML, and most
people who have CML have not been exposed to high doses of radiation.
Exposures
{{ to diagnostic dental or medical x-rays have not been associated
with an increased risk of CML.
Feedback. Visit www.LLS.org/publicationfeedback to give suggestions about this

booklet.
Normal Blood and Bone Marrow

Blood. Blood is the liquid that flows through a person’s arteries and veins. It carries
oxygen and nutrients to the lungs and tissue. It carries away waste products, taking
them to the kidneys and liver, which clean the blood. Blood is composed of plasma
and cells.
Plasma. The plasma inside the blood is mostly made up of water in which the
blood cells are suspended. Plasma contains many dissolved chemicals, each of
which has a special role. They include
{{Proteins
Albumin,
{{ the most common blood protein
Blood-clotting
{{ proteins made by the liver
Erythropoietin,
{{ a protein made by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell
production
Immunoglobulins,
{{ proteins that help the body fight infection
{{Hormones, such as thyroid hormone and cortisol
{{Minerals, such as iron and magnesium
{{Vitamins, such as folate and vitamin B12
{{Electrolytes, such as calcium, potassium and sodium
Blood Cells. The blood cells are suspended in the plasma.

There are three types of blood cells. They are
{{Red blood cells that carry oxygen and
Make
{{ up a little less than half of the body’s total blood volume

Are
{{ filled with hemoglobin, a red protein that picks up oxygen from the lungs
and delivers it to the cells throughout the body. Hemoglobin then picks up
carbon dioxide from the cells and delivers it back to the lungs, where it is
removed when a person exhales.
{{Platelets
These
{{ are small cells (one-tenth the size of red blood cells).
They help stop bleeding from an injury. For example, when a person has a cut,
{{
the vessels that carry blood are torn open. Platelets stick to the torn surface of
the blood vessel, clump together and plug up the bleeding site with the help of
blood-clotting proteins (such as fibrin) and electrolytes (such as calcium).
{{White blood cells (WBCs) that fight infections. There are several types of WBCs,
including
Neutrophils
{{ and monocytes. These are cells called “phagocytes” that eat and
kill bacteria and fungi. Unlike the red blood cells and platelets, monocytes
can leave the bloodstream and enter the tissue, where they can attack
invading organisms and fight off infection.
Eosinophils and basophils. These white blood cells respond to allergens and
{{
parasites.
Lymphocytes. This type of white blood cell is mostly found in the lymph
{{
nodes, spleen and lymphatic channels. Lymphocytes are a key part of the
immune system. There are three major types of lymphocytes:
• T lymphocytes (T cells)
• B lymphocytes (B cells)
• Natural killer (NK) cells
Figure 5. Blood Cell & Lymphocyte Development
Stem Cells
Multipotential Multipotential
Hematopoietic Cells Lymphoid Cells
Differentiate & mature into Differentiate & mature into

six types of blood cells three types of lymphocytes
Red Cells Basophils T Lymphocytes

Neutrophils Monocytes B Lymphocytes
Eosinophils Platelets Natural Killer Cells
Figure 5. Stem cells develop into blood cells and lymphoid cells.
42 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Marrow is a spongy tissue where blood cell development takes place. It occupies
the central cavity of bones. In newborns, all bones have active marrow. By the
time a person reaches young adulthood, the bones of the hands, feet, arms and
legs no longer have functioning marrow. In adults, the spine (vertebrae), hip and
shoulder bones, ribs, sternum, pelvis and skull contain the marrow that continues
to make blood cells. The process of blood cell formation is called “hematopoiesis.”
A small group of cells, the stem cells, develop into all the blood cells in the marrow
by the process of differentiation (see Figure 5 on page 42).
In healthy individuals, there are enough stem cells to keep producing new blood
cells continuously. Blood passes through the marrow, where it picks up the fully
developed and functional red and white cells and platelets that will circulate in the
bloodstream.
Some stem cells also enter the blood and circulate. They are present in such
small numbers that they cannot be counted or identified by standard blood count
tests. Their presence in the blood is important because they can be collected
by a special technique for stem cell donation. There are also methods to induce
more stem cells to leave the marrow and circulate in the blood, allowing a greater
number of stem cells to be collected for donation. If enough stem cells are
harvested from a compatible donor, they can be transplanted into a recipient.
Stem cell circulation, from marrow to blood and back, also occurs in the fetus.
After birth, placental and umbilical cord blood can be collected, stored and used
as a source of stem cells for transplantation.

Resources and Information
LLS offers free information and services to patients and families affected by blood
cancer. This section of the booklet lists various resources that can be helpful to
you. Use this information to learn more, to ask questions and to make the most of
your healthcare team members’ knowledge and skills.
For Help and Information

Consult With an Information Specialist. Information Specialists are master’s
level oncology social workers, nurses and health educators. They offer up-to-
date information about disease, treatment and support. Language services are
available. For more information, please
{{Call: (800) 955-4572 (Monday through Friday, 9 am to 9 pm ET)
{{Email: [email protected]
{{Live chat: www.LLS.org/InformationSpecialists
{{Visit: www.LLS.org/InformationSpecialists
Clinical Trials Support Center. Research is ongoing to develop new treatment
options for patients. LLS offers help for patients and caregivers in understanding,
identifying and accessing clinical trials. When appropriate, patients and caregivers
can work with Clinical Trial Nurse Navigators who will help find clinical trials and
personally assist them throughout the entire clinical trial process. Visit
www.LLS.org/CTSC for more information.
Free Information Booklets. LLS offers free education and support booklets that
can either be read online or ordered. Please visit www.LLS.org/booklets for more
information.
Telephone/Web Education Programs. LLS offers free telephone, Web and video
education programs for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Please
visit www.LLS.org/programs for more information.
Financial Assistance. LLS offers financial assistance to individuals who have
blood cancer. Please visit www.LLS.org/finances for more information.
Co-Pay Assistance Program. LLS offers insurance premium and medication
co-pay assistance for certain eligible patients. For more information, please
{{Call: (877) 557-2672
{{Visit: www.LLS.org/copay
44 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
One-on-One Nutrition Consultations. Access free one-on-one nutrition
consultations provided by a registered dietitian who has experience in oncology
nutrition. Dietitians assist callers with information about healthy eating strategies,
side effect management and survivorship nutrition. They also provide additional
nutrition resources. Please visit www.LLS.org/nutrition to schedule a consult or for
more information.
Podcast. The Bloodline with LLS is here to remind you that after a diagnosis comes
hope. Listen in as patients, caregivers, advocates, doctors and other healthcare
professionals discuss diagnosis, treatment options, quality-of-life concerns, treatment
side effects, doctor-patient communication and other important survivorship topics.
Visit www.LLS.org/TheBloodline for more information and to subscribe.
Suggested Reading. LLS provides a list of selected books recommended
for patients, caregivers, children and teens. Please visit
www.LLS.org/SuggestedReading to find out more.
Community Resources and Networking

LLS Community. The one-stop virtual meeting place for talking with other patients
and keeping up to date with the latest blood cancer resources and information.
Share your experiences with other patients and caregivers and get personalized
support from trained LLS staff. Please visit www.LLS.org/community to join.
Weekly Online Chats. Moderated online chats can provide support and help
cancer patients to reach out and share information. Please visit www.LLS.org/chat
for more information.
LLS Chapters. LLS offers community support and services in the United States and
Canada, including the Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program (a peer-
to-peer support program), in-person support groups and other great resources. For
more information about these programs or to contact the nearest chapter, please
{{Call: (800) 955-4572
{{Visit: www.LLS.org/ChapterFind
Other Helpful Organizations. LLS offers an extensive list of resources for patients
and families. There are resources that provide help with financial assistance,
counseling, transportation, patient care and other needs. For more information,
please visit www.LLS.org/ResourceDirectory to obtain our directory.
Advocacy. The LLS Office of Public Policy (OPP) enlists volunteers to advocate for
policies and laws to speed the approval of new treatments and improve access to
quality medical care. For more information, please
{{Call: (800) 955-4572
{{Visit: www.LLS.org/Advocacy

Additional Help for Specific Populations
Información en español (LLS information in Spanish). Please visit
www.LLS.org/espanol for more information.
Language Services. Let members of your healthcare team know if you need a
language interpreter or other assistance, such as a sign language interpreter.
Often, these services are free.
Children’s Concerns. CML occurs in a small number of children. A family that
has a child diagnosed with CML is thrown into an unfamiliar world of treatment
and follow-up care. The child, parents and siblings will all need support. Help is
available. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance for your child, yourself or other
family members, even if you are already working with a psychologist, social
worker or child-life specialist.
For practical guidance on how to support your child and other family members,
deal with your own concerns, inform extended family and friends and make the
transition to life after treatment ends, please
{{See the free LLS booklet Coping with Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma
{{Call: (800) 955-4572 to ask about The Trish Greene Back to School Program
for Children with Cancer
Information for Veterans. Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while
serving in Vietnam may be able to get help from the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs. For more information, please visit
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange or call the Department of
Veterans Affairs at (877) 222-8387.
World Trade Center Survivors. People involved in the aftermath of the 9/11
attacks and subsequently diagnosed with a blood cancer may be able to get
help from the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. People eligible for
help include
{{Responders
{{Workers and volunteers who helped with rescue, recovery and cleanup
at the WTC-related sites in New York City (NYC)
{{Survivors who were in the NYC disaster area, lived, worked or were
in school in the area
{{Responders to the Pentagon and the Shanksville, PA crashes
46 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
For more information, please
{{Call: WTC Health Program at (888) 982-4748
{{Visit: www.cdc.gov/wtc/faq.html
People Suffering From Depression. Treating depression has benefits for

cancer patients. Seek medical advice if your mood does not improve over time,
for example, if you feel depressed every day for a 2-week period. For more
information, please
{{Call: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at (866) 615-6464
{{Visit: NIMH at www.nimh.nih.gov. Enter “depression” in the search box

Health Terms
ABL1 Gene. A gene from chromosome 9 that breaks off and migrates to
chromosome 22. The ABL1 gene joins the BCR gene on chromosome 22 to
form the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene is found in most
patients with CML and in some patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The gene symbol “ABL1” is derived from the name of the scientist Herbert
Abelson, who discovered the gene while studying cancer-causing viruses
in mice.
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. A treatment that uses healthy
donor stem cells to restore a patient’s damaged or diseased cells in the
bone marrow. See the free LLS publication, Blood and Marrow Stem Cell
Transplantation.
Anemia. A health condition in which the number of red blood cells is below
normal. This results in a diminished ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
Severe anemia can cause a pale complexion, weakness, fatigue and
shortness of breath. See Hematocrit.
Apheresis. A process using a machine to take out the needed parts of the
donor’s blood and then to return the unneeded parts back to the donor. This
process allows certain parts of blood, including red blood cells, white blood
cells and platelets, to be removed separately and in large volumes.
Basophil. A type of white blood cell that has granules (small particles) with
enzymes that are released during allergic reactions.
BCR-ABL1. The fusion gene that causes CML. See Tyrosine Kinase.
Blast Cell. An immature (young) blood cell.
Bone Marrow. A spongy tissue in the hollow central cavity of the bones that
is the site of blood cell formation. By puberty, the marrow in the spine, ribs,
breastbone, hips, shoulders and skull is most active in blood cell formation.
When marrow cells have matured into blood cells, they enter the blood that
passes through the marrow and are carried in the bloodstream throughout
the body.
Bone Marrow Aspiration. A test that examines bone marrow cells to detect
cell abnormalities. A liquid bone marrow sample is usually taken from the
patient’s hip bone using a special needle. Normally this test is done at the
same time as a bone marrow biopsy.
48 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Bone Marrow Biopsy. A test to examine bone marrow cells to detect cell
abnormalities. After medication is given to numb the skin, a special hollow
biopsy needle is used to remove a sample of bone containing marrow,
usually from the hip (pelvic) bone. Bone marrow aspiration and bone
marrow biopsy may be done in either the doctor’s office or in a hospital.
The two tests are almost always done together.
Bone Marrow Transplantation. See Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.
Chemotherapy. Treatment that stops the growth of cancer cells, either by
killing the cancer cells or by preventing them from dividing.
Chromosomes. Threadlike structures within cells that carry genes in a
linear order. Human cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Cord Blood Stem Cells. Stem cells collected from the placenta and
umbilical cord after a baby is born. These stem cells can repopulate the
bone marrow and produce blood cells in patients undergoing stem cell
transplantations.
Cytogenetic Analysis. The process of analyzing the number and size
of the chromosomes in cells. It detects chromosome alterations and,
in some cases, may identify the actual genes that have been affected.
These findings help healthcare professionals diagnose specific types of
blood cancers, determine treatment approaches and monitor a patient’s
response to treatment. The individual who prepares and examines the
chromosomes and interprets the results is called a cytogeneticist.
Differentiation. The process that occurs when stem cells develop and
mature and take on a new function. Stem cells mature into red blood cells,
platelets or white blood cells. See Hematopoiesis.
Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI). A therapy often used for patients after
an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. In this infusion procedure, patients
are given lymphocytes (white blood cells) that come from the original
transplant donor to help attack remaining cancer cells.
Drug Intolerance. Inability to tolerate the side effects of a drug.
Drug Resistance. The failure of cancer cells, viruses or bacteria to respond
to a drug used to kill or weaken them.
Eosinophil. A type of white blood cell that promotes inflammation during
allergic reactions and helps fight certain parasitic infections.

European Treatment Outcome Study (EUTOS) score. A scoring system
that estimates survival of patients who have CML. Patients are classified as
“high risk” or “low risk” on the basis of the percentage of basophils in their
peripheral blood and the size of their spleen.
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). A technique for studying
abnormal chromosomes in cells and tissues. Pieces of DNA that contain
fluorescent molecules are added to cells or tissues on a slide. When the
pieces of DNA bind to specific genes or chromosomes, they light up when
viewed under a microscope.
Graft-Versus-Tumor Effect (Graft-Versus-Leukemia Effect). Transplanted
blood stem cells (the graft) perceive the leukemia cells in a transplant patient’s
body as foreign and attack the cancer cells, as they are intended to do.
Granulocyte. A type of white blood cell with many particles (granules)
in the cell body. Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are types of
granulocytes.
Hasford Scoring System. A scoring system that estimates survival
of patients with CML. The system designates patients as “low risk,”
“intermediate risk” or “high risk.”
Hasford scores are based on the following diagnostic markers:
{{The size of the spleen
{{The blood platelet count
{{The patient’s age
{{The percentage of blast cells circulating in the peripheral blood
{{The number of eosinophils and basophils circulating in the peripheral
blood
Hematocrit. The percentage of whole blood that is made up of red blood
cells. The normal range for men is 40 to 54 percent and 35 to 47 percent
for women. Anemia occurs when the hematocrit level is below normal.
Hematologic. Of, or relating to, blood.
Hematologist. A doctor who specializes in blood cell diseases.
Hematopathologist. A doctor who has special training in identifying
diseases of the blood cells by examining blood, bone marrow and lymph,
as well as other tissues, under a microscope.
50 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Hematopoiesis. The formation and development of blood cells in the bone
marrow. For the blood cell development process, see Normal Blood and
Bone Marrow on page 41.
Hyperleukocytosis. A very high white blood cell count, often found in
people when they are diagnosed with leukemia and most often in patients
with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Immunotherapy. A treatment that uses the body’s immune system to treat
cancer and other diseases.
Leukocyte. Also known as “white blood cell.” A type of blood cell that is
part of the body’s immune system. It defends the body against infections
and other diseases. Types of leukocytes include granulocytes (neutrophils,
eosinophils and basophils), monocytes and lymphocytes (T cells and
B cells). See White Blood Cell.
Lymph Node. A bean-sized structure that is part of the body’s immune
system. Throughout the body, there are hundreds of lymph nodes that
contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help fight infection and disease.
Lymphocyte. A type of white blood cell that performs an essential role in
the body’s immune system. There are three major types of lymphocytes.
They are
{{B lymphocytes that produce antibodies to fight infections
{{T lymphocytes that help protect the body from infections and may help
the body fight cancer
{{Natural killer (NK) cells that attack virus-infected cells or tumor cells
Macrophage. Called a “scavenger cell,” a macrophage is a type of white

blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells and
stimulates the action of other immune system cells. See Monocyte.
Minimal Residual Disease (MRD). The small number of cancer cells
that may remain after treatment and cannot be detected in the blood or
bone marrow by using standard tests, such as examining cells under the
microscope. These cells, however, can be detected with more sensitive
molecular tests, such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Monocyte. A type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow
and travels through the blood to tissues in the body where it becomes a
macrophage. See Macrophage.

Mutation. A change in the DNA of a cell. A mutation may be caused by an
error in cell division, or it may be caused by contact with DNA-damaging
substances in the environment.
Myelocyte. A bone marrow cell that is a precursor of a mature granulocyte
found in the blood. Myelocytes are not present in the blood of healthy
individuals.
Neutrophil. A type of white blood cell and principal phagocyte (microbe-
eating cell) in the blood. It is the main type of cell that combats infection.
Patients with certain blood cancers and cancer patients who have
received treatment such as chemotherapy often have low neutrophil
counts, which makes them very susceptible to infections.
Nonmyeloablative Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. See
Reduced-Intensity Stem Cell Transplantation.
Oncogene. A changed (mutated) gene that contributes to the
development of cancer. Several subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia, acute
lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma, and nearly all cases of chronic
myeloid leukemia, are associated with an oncogene. See Mutation.
Oncologist. A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating
cancer.
Palliative Therapy. Specialized medical care given to relieve the
symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other serious
illnesses.
Pathologist. A doctor who detects and identifies disease by examining
body tissue and fluids under a microscope.
Peripheral Blood. The blood that circulates throughout the body in the
arteries, capillaries and veins.
Phagocyte. A type of white blood cell that protects the body from
infection by eating and killing micro-organisms, such as bacteria and
fungi. The two main types of phagocytes are neutrophils and monocytes.
Once an infection occurs, phagocytes migrate from the bloodstream and
enter the infected tissue. Chemotherapy and radiation can decrease the
numbers of these cells, so patients are more likely to get an infection.
Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph Chromosome). An abnormality of
chromosome 22 found in the bone marrow and blood cells of most
patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and of some patients with acute
lymphoblastic leukemia. It is formed when parts of chromosome 9 and 22
52 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
break off and trade places. The result is a chromosome 22 that is shorter
than normal. The exchange of DNA between chromosomes 9 and 22
results in the creation of a new gene (an oncogene) called BCR-ABL1 on
chromosome 22.
Platelet. A small, colorless blood cell that helps control bleeding.
Platelets travel to and then collect at the site of a wound. The platelets’
sticky surface helps them to form clots at the site of the wound and stop
bleeding. Platelets make up about one tenth of the volume of red blood
cells. Also called “thrombocyte.”
Prognosis. The probable outcome or expected course of a disease. The
likelihood of recovery or recurrence of disease.
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). A technique to
expand trace amounts of DNA so that the specific type of the DNA can
be examined. This technique has become useful in detecting a very low
concentration of residual blood cancer cells that cannot be seen using a
microscope. A qPCR test can detect the presence of one blood cancer cell
among 500,000 to 1,000,000 healthy blood cells.
Red Blood Cell. A type of blood cell that contains hemoglobin, which
carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. Red blood cells make up
about 40 to 45 percent of blood volume in healthy people. Also called
“erythrocyte.”
Reduced-Intensity Stem Cell Transplantation. A type of allogeneic
transplantation. In reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation (also called
“nonmyeloablative” stem cell transplantation), patients receive lower doses
of chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation to prepare for the transplant. The
chemotherapy and radiation do not completely kill all of the leukemia cells.
Instead, the new immune cells that the patient receives in the transplant
may attack the leukemia cells. This type of transplant may be safer than a
regular allogeneic stem cell transplant, especially for older patients. See
the free LLS publication, Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation.
Refractory. This term is used to refer to a disease that has not responded
to the initial treatment. A disease that is refractory may get worse or remain
stable.
Relapse. A return of the disease after a period of improvement.

Remission. When signs of a disease disappear. Remission usually follows
treatment. The words “complete” and “partial” are sometimes used to further
define the term “remission.” Complete remission means that all evidence of
the disease is gone. Partial remission means that the disease is markedly
improved by treatment, but residual evidence of the disease is present.
Resistance to Treatment. When cancer cells continue to grow even after
administration of strong drugs and/or treatments. The cancer cells may be
resistant to the drug at the beginning of treatment or may become resistant
after being exposed to the drug over time.
Response to Treatment. An improvement related to treatment.
Sokal Scoring System. A scoring system used for patients with chronic
myeloid leukemia that estimates their survival. Patients are designated “low-
risk,” “intermediate-risk” or “high-risk” based on their spleen size, platelet
count, age and the percentage of blast cells in their peripheral blood.
Spleen. An organ in the left upper portion of the abdomen, just under the
left side of the diaphragm, that acts as a blood filter.
Stem Cell Transplantation. See Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.
Stem Cell. A primitive bone marrow cell that matures into a red blood cell,
a white blood cell or a platelet. Stem cells are mostly found in the bone
marrow but some leave the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream.
Stem cells can be collected, preserved and used for stem cell therapy. See
Hematopoiesis.
Translocation. A genetic abnormality in which a piece of one chromosome
breaks off and attaches to another chromosome. Sometimes genetic
material is exchanged between two different chromosomes. When a
translocation takes place, the gene at which the break occurs is altered.
See Mutation; Philadelphia Chromosome.
Tyrosine Kinase. A type of enzyme that plays a key role in cell function,
including cell growth and division. It is normally present in cells, and the ABL1
gene on chromosome 9 directs its production. In CML, an alteration in the
DNA results in a mutant fusion gene, BCR-ABL1, which produces an abnormal
or mutant tyrosine kinase. This abnormal enzyme signals blood stem cells
to produce too many granulocytes (white blood cells). These particular
granulocytes have the BCR-ABL1 gene and are called “leukemia cells.”
54 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI). A type of drug that blocks the action of
enzymes called “tyrosine kinases” that are made by the BCR-ABL1 gene
so that the enzymes cannot signal the leukemia cells to grow. This specific
approach to cancer therapy is referred to as “molecular-targeted therapy”
because the drug is designed to block the effect of a specific protein that is
the essential cause of the leukemic transformation.
White Blood Cell. A blood cell that is part of the body’s immune system.
The five types of these infection-fighting cells in the blood are neutrophils,
eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. White blood cells are
also called “leukocytes.”

More Information
For information about diagnosis and treatment guidelines, visit:
European LeukemiaNet at www.leukemia-net.org. Choose leukemias in the top
navigation bar and then select CML.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network at www.nccn.org/patients. Choose
NCCN Guidelines for Patients on the top navigation bar.
Information on the various risk scoring systems for CML is available on
European LeukemiaNet’s website at www.leukemia-net.org.
European Treatment and Outcomes Study Score
Choose leukemias in the top navigation bar, select CML on the left navigation bar
and then choose EUTOS Score on the left navigation bar.
Sokal and Hasford (also known as “Euro”) Scores
Choose leukemias in the top navigation bar, select CML on the left navigation bar
and then choose Euro- and Sokal-Score on the left navigation bar.
References
Cayssials E, Guilhot F. Chronic myeloid leukemia: immunobiology and novel
immunotherapeutic approaches. BioDrugs. 2017;31(3):143-149. doi:10.1007/
s40259-017-0225-6.
Chopade P, Akard LP. Improving outcomes in chronic myeloid leukemia over time
in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia.
2018;18(11):710-723. doi:10.1016/j.clml.2018.06.029.
Damrongwatanasuk R, Fradley MG. Cardiovascular complications of targeted

therapies for chronic myeloid leukemia. Current Treatment Options in
Cardiovascular Medicine. 2017;19(4):24. doi:10.1007/s11936-017-0524-8.
Eskazan AE. Evolving treatment strategies in CML – moving from early and deep
molecular responses to TKI discontinuation and treatment-free remission: is there
a need for longer-term trial outcomes? British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
2018;84(8):1635-1638. doi:10.1111/ bcp.13637.
Fanelli J. Conception and pregnancy in patients treated with TKIs for CML. Journal
of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (JNCCN-360). Posted January
21, 2019. https://jnccn360.org/cml/medical-literature/conception-and-pregnancy-in-
patients-treated-with-tkis/. Accessed February 12, 2019.
56 I 800.955.4572 I www.LLS.org
Flynn KE, Atallah E. Quality of life and long-term therapy in patients with chronic
myeloid leukemia. Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports. 2016;11(2):80-85.
doi:10.1007/s11899-016-0306-5.
Goldberg SL, Savona M, Mauro MJ. Considerations for successful treatment-free

remission in chronic myeloid leukemia. Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia.
2018;18(2):98-105. doi:10.1016/j.chml.2017.11.006.
Hijiya N, Schultz KR, Metzler M, et al. Pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia is a

unique disease that requires a different approach. Blood. 2016.127(4):392-399.
doi:10/1182/blood-2015-06-648667.
Jabbour E, Kantarjian H. Chronic myeloid leukemia: 2018 update on diagnosis,

therapy and monitoring. American Journal of Hematology. 2018; 93:442-459.
Marcucci G. New drug may be a game changer for chronic myeloid leukemia.
Oncology Times. June 2018;40(12)1,7-7. https://journals.lww.com/oncology-times/
Fulltext/2018/06200/New_Drug_May_Be_a_Game_Changer_for_Chronic_
Myeloid.2.aspx. Accessed March 4, 2019.
Massimino M, Stella S, Tirro E, et al. Non ABL-directed inhibitors as alternative

treatment strategies for chronic myeloid leukemia. Molecular Cancer. 2018;17:56.
doi:10.1186/s12943-018-0805-1.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines Chronic Myeloid
Leukemia. Version 1.2019. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/
cml.pdf. Accessed January 25, 2019.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Chronic myeloid leukemia. In: NCCN

Guidelines for Patients 2018. https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/cml/.
Accessed January 25, 2019.
Naveen P. Adolescents & young adults with chronic myeloid leukemia. Oncology
Times. 2017;39(10):25-26. doi:10.1097/01.COT.0000520172.33444.4e.
Nilotinib approved to treat children with rare form of leukemia [FDA

Updates]. Oncology Times. April 20, 2018;40(8):44-45. doi:10.1097/01.
COT.0000532461.02444.c3.
Noone AM, Howlader N, Krapcho M, et al, eds. SEER Cancer Statistics Review,
1975-2015. Based on November 2017 SEER data submission, posted to the
SEER web site, April 2018. National Institutes of Health; National Cancer Institute.
Bethesda, MD; National Institutes of Health; National Cancer Institute; 2018. https://
seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2015/. Accessed February 1, 2019.

Rea D. Treatment-free remission: a new goal for all chronic phase (CP)-CML
patients. HemaSphere. EHA 23 Educational Updates in Hematology Book.
2018; 2(S2):60-62. https:///journals.lww.com/hemasphere/Citation/2018/06002/
Treatment_free_remission_A_new_goal_for_all_24.aspx.
Rea D, Ame S, Berger M, et al. Discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in

chronic myeloid leukemia: recommendations for clinical practice from the French
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Study Group. Cancer. 2018;124(14):2956-2963.
doi:10.1002/cncr.31411.
Rea D, Cayuela JM. Treatment-free remission in patients with chronic myeloid

leukemia. International Journal of Hematology. 2018;108(4):355-364. doi:10.1007/
s12185-017-2295-0.
Ross DM, Masszi T, Gómez Casares MT, et al. Durable treatment-free

remission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase following
frontline nilotinib: 96-week update of the ENESTfreedom study. Journal of
Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 2018;144(5):945-954. doi:10.1007/
s00432-018-2604-x.
Saglio G, Sharf G, Almeida A, et al. Considerations for treatment-free remission

in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: a joint patient-physician perspective.
Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia. 2018;18(6):375-379. doi:10.1016/j.
clml.2018.04.005.
Talati C, Pinilla-Ibarz J. Resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia: definitions and

novel therapeutic agents. Current Opinion in Hematology. 2018;25(2):154-161.
doi:10.1097/MOH.0000000000000403.
Zhang Y, Yangqiu L. T cell receptor-engineered T cells for leukemia

immunotherapy. Cancer Cell International. 2019;19:2. doi:10.1186/
s12935-018-0720-y.
NOTES
NOTES
Get support.
Reach out to our
INFORMATION SPECIALISTS
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society team
consists of master’s level oncology
social workers, nurses and health
educators who are available
by phone Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (ET).
• G
et one-on-one
personalized support
and information about
blood cancers
• K
now the questions to
ask your doctor
• D
iscuss financial
resources
• R
eceive individual
clinical-trial searches
Contact us at
800-955-4572 or
www.LLS.org/
informationspecialists
(Language interpreters can be requested)
For more information, please
contact our Information Specialists
800.955.4572 (Language interpreters
available upon request).
National Office 3 International Drive, Suite 200 Rye Brook, NY 10573

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is to cure leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients
and their families. Find out more at www.LLS.org.
PS31 35M 6/19

PS31 - CML Booklet - 2019

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PS31 - CML Booklet - 2019

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

PS31 - CML Booklet - 2019

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PROVIDING THE LATEST INFORMATION FOR

PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS

Support for this publication provided by

Discover what thousands already have at

Neil Shah, MD, PhD

The Philadelphia Chromosome and the BCR-ABL1 Fusion Gene. A

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 3

Figure 1. Marrow Cell Chromosomes

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 5

Translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22

Normal Chromosomes CML Chromosomes

{{A portion of the ABL1 gene from chromosome 9 translocates and

Signs and Symptoms

{{Shortness of breath during basic everyday activities

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 7

Cytogenetic Analysis. Cytogenetics is the study of chromosomes and

FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization). FISH is a laboratory test used to

Phases of CML and Prognostic Factors

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 9

Accelerated Phase. In the accelerated phase, the number of immature myeloid

{{A very high white blood cell count

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 11

Treatments for CML

Doctors who specialize in treating patients with CML are called

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 13

{{Although rare, serious side effects of imatinib include

{{Dasatinib may cause serious side effects, including

Muscle and joint pain

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 17

{{Serious side effects include

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 19

TKI Resistance. “Treatment response” is the term used to describe an

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 21

Generic Name Drug Class Approved For

Imatinib mesylate Tyrosine- 1. Newly

Dasatinib (Sprycel®) TKI 1. Newly

Nilotinib (Tasigna®) TKI 1. N

Bosutinib (Bosulif®) TKI 1. A

Ponatinib (Iclusig®) TKI 1. A

Omacetaxine Protein Adults with chronic or accelerated phase

{{Reaction at the injection site

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 23

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSTC). Transplantation is an option

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 25

Measuring Treatment Response

Hematologic Response. This response is described as either “partial” or

Cytogenetic Response. This is a measurement of the number of cells in the bone

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 27

Cytogentic analysis of bone marrow cells (bone marrow cytogenetics) is done at

Unfortunately, qPCR tests may not be standardized from laboratory to laboratory.

BCR-ABL1 Kinase Domain Mutation Analysis

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia I 29

Cytogenetic Complete No Philadelphia Bone marrow

Partial 1% to 35% of cells

Major cytogenetic 35% or fewer

Minor cytogenetic More than 35% of

Molecular Complete No BCR-ABL1 gene Quantitative PCR

Color Treatment Team Potential Decisions

YELLOW Possible TKI • E