An update on chronic myeloid leukaemia

The therapy of CML is clearly 'work in progress' Although long-term follow-up data for patients treated with STI571 are not yet available, preliminary results are encouraging. STI571 is likely to be licensed in late 2001/early 2002 and will certainly find a place in the treatment of CML. Current therapeutic considerations are summarised in Fig 2. At all stages of treatment it is vital that the patient is fully aware of treatment options, their risks and benefits. In some cases there is little evidence to suggest that one treatment option is better than another; in these situations, treatment is likely to depend on a patient's individual circumstances and preferences.