CML: Imatinib as effective in the elderly as in the young but warrants management of adverse events

Key clinical point: Upfront imatinib treatment was equally effective in elderly vs. younger patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Management of therapy-related adverse events (AEs) may lead to better clinical outcomes.

Major finding: Although overall survival was higher in younger patients (P less than .001), rates of early molecular response (MR), complete cytogenic response, major MR, deep MR, and event-free survival were not significantly different between elderly and younger patients. Hematological AEs (24% vs. 7%; P = .005) and AE-related dose reduction (33% vs. 9%; P less than .001) were higher in elderly vs. younger patients.

Study details: Data come from a retrospective study of 158 elderly (aged 60 years or older, n=33) and younger (aged less than 60 years, n=125) patients with Philadelphia-positive CML.

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Disclosures: No funding source was identified. The lead author, AE Eşkazan and T Soysal reported ties with various pharmaceutical companies. Other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Eşkazan AE et al. Clin Lymph Myel Leuk. 2021 Apr 13. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2021.04.005.