Management of Bcr–Abl-positive leukemias with dasatinib

Abstract

Dasatinib is a novel, potent, multi-targeted kinase inhibitor that is approved in Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia following imatinib failure. Clinical trials have demonstrated its activity across all phases of CML. Dasatinib was superior to high-dose imatinib in a randomized, Phase II study of patients with chronic-phase CML who were resistant or intolerant to imatinib. Preliminary data from a Phase II trial in patients with previously untreated CML suggests that dasatinib compares favorably with imatinib in first-line use. Adverse events experienced with dasatinib include myelosuppression and fluid retention (e.g., pleural effusions), which were manageable with dose adjustment or treatment.

Keywords::

• Bcr–Abl
• chronic myelogenous leukemia
• dasatinib
• imatinib

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The work was supported by the Deutsche José Carreras-Leukämiestiftung e.V., the Competence Network ‘Acute and chronic leukemias’, and sponsored by the German Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (Projektträger Gesundheitsforschung; DLR e.V.- 01 GI9980/6), and the European LeukemiaNet within the 6th European Community Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Professional writing and editorial assistance, funded by Bristol–Myers Squibb, was provided by Laura Bowen and Andrew Richardson.