Main description:

This book provides state-of-the-art reviews of key issues and recent developments relating to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acquainting the reader with advances in research, treatment, and promotion of public health. Among the management topics addressed are the choices, advantages, and pitfalls of first-, second-, and third-line treatments; the European LeukemiaNet recommendations; management of adverse effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI); management of CML blast crisis; management of pregnancy in the context of CML; the role of hematopoietic cell transplantation; the current experience with TKI discontinuation; and the value of interferon in improving the outcome of TKI treatment. Various aspects of relevance to treatment outcome are discussed, including prognostic scores, molecular monitoring (principles and interlaboratory standardization), and response-related predictors of survival. Furthermore, updates are provided on the increasing prevalence of CML and its implications and on the changing cost of care for CML, taking into account the forthcoming impact of availability of generic imatinib.

Contents:

Cytogenetics of CML.- The biology and pathogenesis of CML.- The choice of 1st line CML-treatment.- A review and up-date of the European LeukemiaNet recommendations for the management of CML.- Management of adverse events associated with ATP-competitive BCR-ABL 1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors in CML.- Standardization of molecular monitoring for CML.- Epidemiology of CML.- Prognostic scores for patients with CML under particular consideration of disease specific death.- Response-related predictors of survival.- CML- blast crisis: implications and management.- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Pregnancy.- The role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in CML.- Discontinuation or cessation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in CML patients with deep molecular response.- The interferon-alpha revival in CML.- Changing the cost of care for CML: the availability of generic imatinib.