New strategies in chronic myeloid leukemia

Most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) achieve clinically relevant hematologic and cytogenetic responses to imatinib. Patients who show resistance to imatinib need new therapeutic options. A range of options are being developed to treat imatinib-resistant patients who have CML. Promising results of early-phase clinical trials have been reported for new tyrosine kinase inhibitors, farnesyl transferase inhibitors, decitabine, homoharringtonine, and vaccines. Further clinical trials are needed to characterize the efficacy and safety profile of these new agents and to determine which agents improve the long-term prognosis for patients with CML who have shown resistance to imatinib.