Quality of Life and Adherence to Therapy in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Nilotinib as a...

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) and adherence to the therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase treated with nilotinib as second-line therapy.

A multicenter, prospective, observational trial with 6 time points was conducted; 177 patients were recruited in 23 centers in Poland who were treated with nilotinib as second-line therapy because of the ineffectiveness or intolerance of their previous therapy. QOL was evaluated with the standard European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life questionnaire. Adherence to the therapy was assessed using the 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale by patients and their physicians.

The average QOL in patients who completed the study was significantly higher during the last visit (69.4 ± 17.4) than at the start of the study (59.1 ± 18.8; P < .001). At their first visit, 120 (83.2%) patients assessed themselves as highly compliant and 135 (93.4%) at the fifth visit. Low-compliance patients represented 3 (1.7% of the total) during visit 1; none of the patients self-assessed as low compliance since the fourth visit. At the first visit 151 (85.3%) patients were categorized by their physicians as highly compliant and 138 (96.0%) during the last 3 visits. Patients' and their physicians' assessments were significantly correlated.

The QOL among patients receiving nilotinib administered as second-line therapy was very good and adherence to the treatment was high. The efficacy and safety of the drug were confirmed in the real-life setting.