Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Increasing Access to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and...

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a leading example of how targeted therapy can transform cancer outcomes. Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), survival in high-income countries has approached that of the general population. Large-scale access initiatives have demonstrated that sustained delivery of TKIs is also feasible in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with comparable outcomes, challenging assumptions about the limits of cancer care in resource-constrained settings. As treatment access has expanded in LMICs, the central challenge in CML care has shifted to delivery of optimized, sustainable care. Achieving optimal outcomes requires timely diagnosis, sustained adherence, regular molecular monitoring, and the ability to adjust treatment based on individual patients' tolerance and response to therapy. However, gaps in diagnostic capacity, lack of coordination in care delivery, and persistent socioeconomic barriers continue to limit continuity of care and constrain the full benefits of therapy. Here we review the evidence on the evolving landscape of CML care in LMICs, including treatment access, molecular monitoring, adherence, and treatment-free remission (TFR). Molecular monitoring represents the critical bottleneck linking treatment access to optimized care and long-term outcomes, requiring innovative tools and approaches to scale up access to molecular diagnostics in resource-limited settings. Advancing equitable outcomes in CML will require multiple partners, including industry, government, academia, and nonprofit entities. Access barriers for CML are a global concern, and lessons learned in addressing these challenges in LMICs may inform program strategies in other contexts, including marginalized communities in high-income countries.