Considerations for Treatment-free Remission in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Joint Patient–Physician Perspective

Publication date: June 2018Source: Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, Volume 18, Issue 6Author(s): Giuseppe Saglio, Giora Sharf, Antonio Almeida, Andrija Bogdanovic, Felice Bombaci, Jelena Čugurović, Nigel Deekes, Valentín Garcia-Gutiérrez, Jan de Jong, Šarūnas Narbutas, Peter Westerweel, Daniela ZackovaAbstractTreatment-free remission (TFR) after discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy is now an emerging treatment goal for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, who have achieved a deep and stable response to treatment. Although guidance is now available, patients’ questions regarding this progressive concept have yet to be addressed. The overall aim of this European Steering Group is a patient-centered approach that educates patients on their treatment options, including TFR, facilitates better patient–physician relationships, and meets patients’ emotional and psychological needs. The present report outlines 5 key topic areas on discontinuing tyrosine kinase therapy and the implications of TFR for patient–physician consideration: what TFR is; when TFR is appropriate; which patients might and might not be eligible for TFR; and patients’ considerations for discontinuing therapy, such as tyrosine kinase withdrawal syndrome, potential psychological implications, molecular recurrence, and repeat treatment. This Steering Group advocates that patients with chronic myeloid leukemia should have access to high-quality, frequent molecular monitoring a...
Source: Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research