Treatment of Philadelphia-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia has historically been associated with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Over the past 2 decades, however, the treatment paradigm has markedly shifted.

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinib, dasatinib, and ponatinib, has revolutionized frontline therapy, significantly improving remission rates and long-term survival. These agents, when combined with reduced-intensity chemotherapy or even with corticosteroids, have enabled less toxic regimens, particularly beneficial for older or unfit patients. The implementation of measurable residual disease monitoring has emerged as a pivotal tool for risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making. Consequently, the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, considered a cornerstone of curative treatment, is being reevaluated in patients achieving sustained deep molecular responses. More recently, immunotherapeutic strategies - including the bispecific T-cell engager blinatumomab and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies - have emerged as effective alternatives to conventional chemotherapy and TKIs.

While TKIs remain the backbone of treatment, the integration of immunotherapeutic strategies - including bispecific antibodies and CAR T-cell therapy - has expanded therapeutic options, not only in the R/R setting but increasingly in frontline regimens. Ongoing research aimed at optimizing the sequencing, combination, and duration of these therapies is essential to further enhance clinical outcomes.