Patients in Focus: What’s Relevant for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia?

Abstract

This symposium was dedicated to discussing BCR-ABL-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ALL). Prof Baccarani opened the symposium, highlighting the recent improvements in survival in patients with BCR-ABL-positive CML and Ph+ALL. Dr de Lavallade discussed the role of mutational analyses as part of molecular monitoring, including the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to assess BCR-ABL mutation status and to detect low-frequency mutations. Dr Rea reviewed treatment options for CML with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in the second and third-line treatment settings. The session concluded with Dr Martinelli presenting mutational burden in Ph+ALL patients and treatment options for these patients, in particular, with ponatinib, emphasising the importance of early treatment initiation.