When should treatment begin after a CML diagnosis?
Treatment for CML typically starts soon after diagnosis, especially since most people are diagnosed during the chronic phase when the condition responds well to treatment.
The standard first-line treatment is tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which are oral medications Show Full Answer
When should treatment begin after a CML diagnosis?
Treatment for CML typically starts soon after diagnosis, especially since most people are diagnosed during the chronic phase when the condition responds well to treatment.
The standard first-line treatment is tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which are oral medications taken daily at home. These targeted therapies work by blocking the BCR-ABL protein that causes leukemia cells to grow.
Your doctor will likely start you on one of these TKIs:
* Imatinib (Gleevec)
* Nilotinib (Tasigna)
* Dasatinib (Sprycel)
* Bosutinib (Bosulif)
* Ponatinib (Iclusig)
* Asciminib (Scemblix)
After starting treatment, you'll have blood and bone marrow tests every three to six months to monitor how well the medication is working. Most people take TKIs for the rest of their lives to keep the leukemia from returning, as these drugs are very effective at controlling CML and preventing progression to more advanced phases.
If the first TKI doesn't work well or causes severe side effects, your doctor may adjust the dose or switch you to a different TKI.
February 2
Join
Your Privacy Choices
