Update on current monitoring recommendations in chronic myeloid leukemia: practical points for clinical practice

Excellent therapeutic options exist for the treatment of chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Therefore, managing CML patients has become a more common practice for many physicians. Most chronic-phase CML patients achieve durable cytogenetic and molecular responses on first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. However, careful monitoring and assessment of adherence are essential for successful outcomes and to identify patients at risk for failing therapy. The European LeukemiaNet and National Comprehensive Cancer Network provide guidance and strategies for monitoring and managing patients treated with TKIs. These recommendations continue to evolve as approved treatment options expand to include second- and third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. How measurements of response are defined and data supporting recent recommended changes to monitoring are reviewed here. These changes include increasing recognition of the importance of early response. The relevance of achieving deep molecular responses will also be addressed.