How I treat newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in 2015

The initial treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CP-CML) represents a complex process, which includes a prompt and precise diagnosis, the choice among three available tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and the initial management of care for these patients, which will protract over a very long period of time. This manuscript summarizes different data on activity, side effects, and supportive measures available for each TKI, the need for particular care in the logistical organization of CML management, the scenario which will be opened by the future availability of generic imatinib. The opinion of the authors is that imatinib remains the first-line treatment for CP-CML; this strategy, accompanied by intensive monitoring and possible dose modification/drug switch after the initial 3-12 months of treatment presently assures a normal life expectancy to the population of newly diagnosed patients with CP-CML.