Why Is Monitoring in CML
So Important?

In the era of oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies, regular monitoring of disease burden is an important requirement to help optimize outcomes in patients with CML.^1,2 Appropriate monitoring of hematologic, cytogenetic, molecular responses is necessary to help

Early identification of unsatisfactory treatment response, relapse or progression is desirable because chronic-phase CML is likely to be more responsive to alternative treatments than advanced-phase disease.^3,4

Consensus Guidelines for CML Monitoring
Consensus guidelines issued by European LeukemiaNet and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) support ongoing monitoring of patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML).^1,2 These guidelines call for clinicians to evaluate the response to treatment in terms of hematologic recovery, normalization of cytogenetics, and the reduction/elimination of bcr-abl mRNA on a molecular level on a regular basis. Each of these tests contribute a different set of information that can be used together to help manage patients with CML.