Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in children: classical and newer therapeutic approaches

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) represents a rare myeloproliferative disease among children where allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the curative gold standard. However, the impressive early cytogenetic and molecular responses achieved by tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib)] as first-line or even sole treatment in adults, has led to their increasing use also among children. Due to limited data regarding long-term results of TKIs and especially those of second generation in pediatric cohorts, we would like to add clinical information in this rare series of patients by reporting on four children with CML over a 10-year period, focusing on TKIs, dose escalations and clinical responses.