Management of pregnant chronic myeloid leukemia patients

Introduction: Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), has moved from a fatal illness to a manageable disease with a possible normal lifespan.For this reason is more and more frequent that younger patients address the possibility to conceive, if men, or get pregnant, if women.Knowledge of safety and risks concerning both patient and progeny, as well as important cultural, ethical and psychosocial issues must be taken into consideration.Areas covered: Data published and informations acquired in terms of fertility, conception, pregnancy, pregnancy outcome and illness control for all the approved TKIs will be reviewed, as well as suggest how to manage a planned and/or unplanned pregnancy/conception. Literature search methodology included examination of PubMed index, meeting presentations, and updated Investigator's brochures and data files of TKIs companies.Expert commentary: Male patients trying to conceive apparently have no limitation in the use of TKIs, while effective contraception should be encouraged in all female patients due to the risk of fetal complications after drug exposure. In a female patient pregnancy should be planned and TKI therapy discontinued, while individual risks need to be considered when an unplanned pregnancy occurs

Treatment free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia: Lights and shadows

In addition to the best possible overall survival, discontinuation of the tyrosine kinase-inhibitor (TKI) treatment [treatment free remission (TFR)] without observing a recurrence of the disease has become a standard part of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) care. Worldwide, more than 2000 patients with CML have attempted TFR, and very rare instances of disease transformation have been reported. Several studies in the last decade have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of TKI discontinuation in selected patients with CML who achieve deep and sustained molecular response with TKI. This has moved prime-time into clinical practice although open questions remain in terms of understanding the disease biology that leads to successful TKI cessation in some patients while not in others. Despite the remaining questions regarding which factors may be considered predictive for TFR, treatment interruption is a safe option provided that adequate molecular monitoring is available, with prompt re-initiation of TKIs as soon as major molecular response has been lost. Data from ongoing trials should help refine decisions as to which patients are the best candidates to attempt TKI discontinuation, frequency of a safe monitoring, optimal strategies to sustain ongoing TFR and increase the number of patients who can access to discontinuation programs

Managing myelodysplastic syndromes in very old patients: a teaching case report

Pasquale Niscola, Massimiliano Palombi, Malgorzata Monika Trawinska, Andrea Tendas, Marco Giovannini, Laura Scaramucci, Alessio Perrotti, Paolo de Fabritiis Hematology Unit, Sant'Eugenio Hospital, Rome, Italy Abstract: The introduction of hypomethylating agents in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has significantly changed the clinical scenario of these diseases, which afflict predominantly older individuals. However, some concerns regarding the optimal application of these innovative and costly agents in the treatment of geriatric high-risk MDS remain. We report here the case of a nonagenarian treated with hypomethylating agents achieving a long-lasting clinical response and a significant improvement in her functional status. Our case confirmed that functional status and biological status, rather than the chronological age alone, can substantially guide the plan of an appropriate treatment strategy in high-risk MDS patients; moreover, the current case emphasizes the need for targeted studies in the field of geriatric MDS in order to formulate guidelines on the appropriate use of these costly agents, so that candidate patients can receive adequate treatment to preserve their quality of life and life expectancy, but at the same time avoiding unnecessary costs deriving from the use of high-cost drugs for those in whom a significant therapeutic result cannot be reasonably expected. Keywords: myelodysplastic syndromes, azacitidine, older patient