CML treatment in Asia-Pacific region

CML in Asia seems to affect the younger age group and more patients are in the high and intermediate Sokal risk group. Cytogenetic study and molecular testing are done mostly at diagnosis, but monitoring the response is limited due to the cost and accessibility. The treatment of chronic phase CML has changed dramatically within the last decade and imatinib has become the standard treatment for CP, CML. Since the cost of imatinib is quite high, most Asian patients cannot afford it. Patients in several countries get imatinib through Glivec International Patient Assistant Program. Patients who are intolerant or resistant to imatinib usually get the second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), either nilotinib or dasatinib. The National Health Insurance covers all or most of the cost of imatinib in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Both nilotinib and dasatinib are partially or fully covered by national insurance in Australia, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan as the second-line therapy. TKIs treatment remains out of reach for many Asian CML patients, especially those in the rural areas and those who are not eligible for patient access programs or covered by the national insurance. The cytogenetic response to imatinib in Asian CML patients varies considerably, from as low as 24% to as high as 96%. The Asia CML Study Alliance was briefly presented.